New Delhi: India today greeted Barack Obama on his election as the 44th US President with the government and political parties hoping to further strengthen relations with the world's oldest democracy.

President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sent congratulatory messages to the 47-year-old Obama and invited him to visit India "as soon as possible".

Students, professionals and politicians welcomed the election of the US first African-American President as "historic" and said they looked forward to heralding of an era of a "less confrontational" America.

The Indian industry, particularly the software sector, hailed the victory of the first-time Illinois Senator and played down fears of an adverse impact on the flourishing outsourcing business.

"Your extraordinary journey to the White House will inspire people not only in your country but also around the world," Singh said in his message to Obama, who rose from a small-time community worker to become the most powerful man in the world.

"We look forward to strengthening the partnership between India and the US and continuing the close engagement that we have developed in recent years both in bilateral cooperation and in addressing global issues of common concern," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said.

Obama's extraordinary journey to the White House drew cheers from political parties of all hue, including the Left and the Right.

Congress, BJP and Left parties termed Obama's victory as historic.
Source : PTI