United States President Barack Obama has welcomed the recent remarks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which he condemned religious-based violence and gave an assurance that his government will give equal respect to all religions.

"The president welcomed Prime Minister Modi's February 17 condemnation of religious-based violent acts, and his assurance that his government will give equal respect to all religions," the White House said on its website yesterday in response to an online petition.

Launched by the New York-based Sikh for Justice, the online petition had urged President Obama before his India trip to raise the issue of "Sikh Genocide" and "Sikhs' Right to Self-determination" during his talks with PM Modi.