PM calls Obama; discuss strategic dialogue

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held a telephonic conversation with United States President Barack Obama on Friday evening, where the two leaders discussed the forthcoming Strategic Dialogue between the two countries scheduled next week in Washington, DC.

A statement issued by the prime minister's office noted that both the sides attach great priority to the dialogue as a means to strengthen bilateral engagement on a wide range of issues, including high technology trade science and technology, civil nuclear cooperation, agriculture, human resource development, security and other strategic issues.

Obama and Dr Singh are going to meet at the summit of G-8 and G-20 countries in the last week of June in Canada.

The two leaders took the opportunity to discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest. President Obama conveyed condolences on the loss of lives resulting from the air crash in Mangalore last week.

The PM also said that a warm welcome awaited the president and his family when they visit India later this year.