Obama to meet PM in Bali on Nov 18: White House

Washington, Nov 9: US President Barack Obama would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Bali on November 18 on the sidelines of the East Asia summit, a top presidential aide said on Wednesday.

Meeting for the first time in about an year, the two leaders are expected to review the progress of the bilateral ties since Obama's visit to India last November; besides discussing a wide range of issues including Afghanistan, economic ties and security relationship, the official said.

"India, of course, as a rapidly growing economy, as a strong democracy and as an important security partner and counterterrorism partner in South Asia, is a very important relationship to the United States," Ben Rhodes, the Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, told reporters during an off camera briefing at the White House.

"He (Obama) and Prime Minister Singh have not had the chance to meet in some time. They'll have the ability to discuss regional developments, to discuss Afghanistan, to discuss our deepening economic and commercial ties with India, as well as to discuss the East Asia Summit," Rhodes said.

PTI