India is successful as it has strong women leaders: Obama

As he raised a toast with his counterpart Pratibha Patil, US President Barack Obama tonight was all praise for India's women leaders, viewing this as a reason for the country's success.

"India is doing so well because it has so many strong women leaders," Obama said at the banquet hosted by Patil for him as he looked at UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar besides the president who was seated besides him at the high table.

He did not reserve his praise only for the Indian women leaders but had some appreciating comments for his wife Michelle as well.

"I learnt that no matter how hard I try, Michelle will be a better dancer," Obama quipped about his wife who shook a leg quite too often during the couple's three-day India visit covering Mumbai and Delhi.

He also praised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as his "good friend and partner" for the spirit with which he has led his life with compassion, truth, honesty and integrity.

Obama, during his brief response to Patil's address at the banquet, also said that during his visit he had learnt that "despite the huge distances" between India and the US, "we are closer than before".