India and the United States are defined by diversity, and this is something that needs to be cherished, former US President Barack Obama, who is in Delhi, said on Friday.

“In a country like India, you have such a huge Muslim population that feels integrated,” Obama said at the 15th edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. “That is unfortunately not always the case in other countries. It is something that should be cherished and nurtured,” he said in a speech that focused mainly on tolerance.

Obama’s comments come at a time when several cases of lynching and communal crimes have been reported across India over the past few years.

The former US president said those who believe in democracy must speak up. “Politicians are often reflections of forces in the society. If you see a politician doing things that are questionable, one of the questions you can ask yourself as a citizen is ‘am I encouraging this?’” he said.

Obama said he had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi an “unprecedented” nine times. “I think his [Modi’s] impulses are to recognise Indian unity,” he said. “I think he firmly believes unity is necessary for the progress of the nation.”

On India’s role in the world, Obama said, “All of our challenges will be met when India plays a major role on the world stage.” He added that the history of both India and the US speaks about a common set of values – pluralism and tolerance. “If India and US work together, I believe there is no problem we cannot solve,” he added.

Obama also spoke about technology, climate change, and even, how he is perhaps the first US president who knows how to make dal. “My keema is also excellent, my chicken is okay,” he said, but “making a chapati is too hard”.