Obama, Manmohan Singh agree Indo-US ties 'very important'

Chicago/New Delhi, Nov.12: The strategic relationship between India and the United States, which was put in place through the US-India civil nuclear cooperation agreement is likely to be enhanced further during the Obama regime.

This is the indication given by US President-elect Barack Obama during a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday morning, when he described the bilateral strategic relationship is a "very important partnership".

Both also agreed that their respective governments would work together on all important global issues.

Official sources said that Dr.Singh, who has just returned from official trips to Oman and Qatar, congratulated Obama on his victory and said his success would be an inspiration for the oppressed people all over the world.

He also told Obama that ties between the two countries were "very good" but "we should not be satisfied with the status quo".

Singh invited Obama and his wife Mitchelle to visit India and conveyed his best wishes for the success of the Obama administration in meeting challenges that face the world.

Wednesday's conversation between the leaders of the world's oldest democracy and the largest democracy finally put to rest rumors of Obama snubbing Singh that were circulation the whole of last week.

Singh also sought to put this rumor to rest when he told reporters on board Air India One while returning from Oatar that there was snub on part of Obama. He said then that the timing of the telephone call was yet to be worked out, and that he would be more than happy to talk to Obama.

ANI