The government has described the visit of US President Barack Obama to India as a milestone in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. While welcoming Obama's affirmation of US support for India's permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council, the External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said this reflected the shared belief of the two sides that an efficient, effective, credible and legitimate United Nations is required to ensure a just and sustainable international order. In a statement in Lok Sabha today, he said the visit was successful in strengthening mutual understanding on regional and global issues, accelerating the momentum of bilateral cooperation and creating a long-term framework for taking their partnership to a new level and bringing the people of the two nations closer. Stating that the India-US relations have matured over the years, the Minister said this relationship as equal partners stands on its own merits and is not directed against any other country. The External Affairs Minister said both the Prime Minister and President Obama have put forth a common vision of a world without nuclear weapons. They have decided to lead global efforts for non-proliferation and universal and non-discriminatory global nuclear disarmament. He said that this is a historic and bold bilateral initiative which reflects the evolution the partnership with the US.