The drubbing handed out to Mr Obama's Democratic congressional allies in Tuesday's mid-term elections by disillusioned voters has increased pressure on the president to create jobs.

The US leader is taking 200 chief executives of American firms to India, where a senior aide has said the White House is hoping for "tangible benefits".

The executives are drawn from the fields of technology, publishing and chemicals, among others, seeking opportunities in India's booming economy, which is one of the few bright spots in the struggling global economy. Boeing and Lockheed Martin will strengthen their bids for an $11 billion deal for 126 fighter jets.