PM dismisses concerns about chill in Indo-US ties

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has dismissed concerns among leading analysts, both in India and the United States, that Indo-US ties under the aegis of President Barack Obama and his administration cannot compare to the bonhomie and rapport he and New Delhi enjoyed with President George W Bush and his administration.

"I have a very good relationship with President Obama. So I think there should be no confusion on that point," he stated at a press interaction at the conclusion of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington.

Dr Singh added, "In matters relating to statecraft, one shouldn't jump prematurely to conclusions, which are not warranted by facts on the ground."

Taking exception to the contention that Indo-US relations are adrift and haven't been given the same priority in the Obama administration as it was in the Bush administration, the prime minister explained, "We have a multi-faceted relationship. The economic content of the relationship is important. There are several other dimensions."

He pointed out, "We work together in many regional forums, in many multilateral forums. So, it is not a single track operation. And, the United States is a superpower -- it's a very important player in global affairs."

Dr Singh said India looked forward to working with the Obama administration "to find  practical, pragmatic solutions to problems which the world faces."