'Obama, Singh to chart course towards enhanced economic ties'

Washington, Sept 21: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama would chart a course towards enhanced economic relationship, in addition to discussing bilateral and regional issues, when they meet here on September 27, the White house has said.

"It will highlight India's role in regional security and stability and provide an opportunity for the two leaders to chart a course toward enhanced trade, investment, and development cooperation between the United States and India," the White House said in a statement confirming the Obama-Singh meeting next Friday.

"On Friday, the President will welcome Prime Minister Singh of India to the White House for a bilateral meeting. This meeting follows the Prime Minister's visit to Washington in 2009, and the President’s visit to India in 2010," the White House said.

This will be Singh's third summit meeting with Obama. The Prime Minister had undertaken State visits to the US in November 2009 and Obama visited India for a Summit meeting in 2010.

Besides, they have met a number of times on the sidelines of multilateral meetings. Implementation of civil nuclear cooperation and ways to expand cooperation in the fields of defence, security and economy will be high on Prime Minister's agenda.

Singh, who will undertake a five-day visit to the US from September 26, will also flag concerns over the proposed changes in America's visa norms as these would be affecting the highly-skilled IT professionals from India.

The two leaders will also discuss the situation in the region, including Afghanistan after withdrawal of US-led forces next year, besides global issues like Syria.

The meeting between the two leaders will take place before the Prime Minister moves on to New York to address the UN General Assembly the next day. At the UNGA, Singh is expected to pitch for grant of permanent membership to India in the UN Security Council, India's Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh said in New Delhi yesterday.

PTI