Obama to visit India next year

Washington, Nov 24 (ANI): President Barack Obama has accepted Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's invitation to visit India, and promised to come next year.

Addressing a joint press conference with Dr. Singh, President Obama said: "India today is a rising and responsible global power in Asia. Indian leadership is expanding security across the region.I am happy to accept Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's invitation to visit India next year."

Dr. Singh and President Obama also pledged to fully implement the civil nuclear deal signed by the two countries in 2008.

Earlier in the day, welcoming Dr. Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur, Obama said: "Mr. prime minister, yours is the first official visit of my presidency and it is fitting that you and India be so recognised."

"This visit reflects the high esteem in which I and American people hold for your wise leadership. It reflects the abiding bonds, respect and friendship between our people, including our friends in the Indian American community who join us today," he said.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, and Indian Ambassador to US Meera Shankar and business leaders like Ratan Tata, etc. (ANI)