Obama, Manmohan to talk China next week

Washington: US President Barack Obama will share impressions and thoughts of his maiden visit to China with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when he arrives here for a high-profile state visit next week.

Singh would be the first head of government to be hosted at the White House after President Obama took over in January this year. Obama is scheduled to meet Singh at the White House on November 24.

State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters at his daily news briefing that the US is looking forward to the state visit of the Indian Prime Minister.

"I am sure that since the President will have just gotten back from China, and that'll be fresh on his mind that he will share some of his impressions and thoughts about his visit to China as well," Kelly said in response to a question.

Interestingly, in a joint statement with China, Obama yesterday voiced support for the improvement in Indo-Pak ties and their readiness to promote regional peace and stability.

Noting that the White House is working on an agenda for the Indo-US summit, Kelly said that Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs Bill Burns has been very actively involved in coordinating the strategic dialogue framework that the US has with India.

"The Secretary (of State, Hillary Clinton) looks forward to participating in these meetings. I think she is going to host at least one event here at the State Department," he added.