Obama, PM to discuss upcoming Indo-US Strategic Dialogue

Washington: Looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on Sunday, US President
Barack Obama would be discussing with the visiting Indian leader, among other issues, the upcoming Strategic Dialogue between the two countries, nuclear security and Afghanistan.

This would be the first meeting between Obama and Singh after the November 24 State Dinner last year at the White House hosted by the US President.

"The President is very much looking forward to once again receiving Prime Minister Singh in Washington," White House spokesman Mike Hammer told PTI ahead of the key meeting between the two leaders.

"During their meeting on Sunday, the President's first bilateral meeting in advance of next week's Nuclear Security Summit, the leaders will discuss the upcoming Strategic Dialogue between India and the US on June 3, nuclear security and non-proliferation and other regional and global issues of shared interest," Hammer said.

"We expect that Afghanistan will also be a topic of discussion, as well as the President's upcoming trip to
India," he said.

Though no date for the Obama's maiden trip to India has been announced yet, diplomatic sources said the visit is likely to be before the Fall.

Obama, who has a very high respect for Manmohan Singh and considers him a global statesman, is also expected to discuss the issue of situation in India's neighbourhood, especially Afghanistan.

Of late, India and the US have not been on the same page on policies related to Afghanistan in particular the talks with the Taliban and the role of Pakistan.

The Obama Administration is sensitive to the views of New Delhi on Afghanistan and the meeting between the two leaders is likely to address India's concerns with regard to the recent development in Afghanistan, post-London in particular, sources said.