Washington (PTI): As Barack Obama prepares to be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States, a new 17-nation poll has revealed that as many as 63 per cent of Indians see US relationship with the rest of the world increasing under his presidency.

The 17-nation poll conducted for the BBC World Service, a media release said, finds widespread and growing optimism that Obama's presidency will lead to improved relations between the US and the rest of the world. The poll also shows people around the world are looking to Obama to put highest priority on dealing with the current global financial crisis.

Although Indians agree with most people in other parts of the world that the US should make dealing with the global financial crisis a top priority, the number holding this view is less than one-half and lower than all other countries polled.

According to the poll, Indians believe the US should put emphasis on dealing with the global financial crisis (47 per cent top priority, 21 per cent important) and improving America's relationship with their country (42 per cent top priority, 22 per cent important).

As many as 35 per cent of Indians say addressing climate change should receive top priority from the US, while 33 per cent believe it should be important, the release said.

On other issues where the US could take action, Indians say attention should go to brokering peace between Israel and the Palestinians (28 per cent top priority, 27 per cent important), withdrawing US troops from Iraq (27 per cent top priority, 28 per cent important), and supporting the government of Afghanistan against the Taliban (26 per cent top priority, 32 per cent important).