Indian PM departs for Washington summit
21 Nov 2009
New Delhi: As he prepares to depart for Washington for a summit meet with US president Barack Obama, Indian prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh said Saturday that a "sustained and dynamic" Indo-US partnership was essential to meet major global challenges like international terrorism, climate change and the economic slowdown.
Singh is due to hold wide-ranging talks with Obama on Tuesday.
In a departure statement, Dr Singh said India attached "high priority" to its relations with the US which is today characterized by "greater maturity, depth and convergence of interests".
Dr Singh's nine-day visit also takes him to Trinidad and Tobago for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The Indian prime minister will be the first foreign leader to be hosted as a State Guest by the 10-month-old Obama administration.
Dr Singh's hectic four day schedule includes addressing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and business leaders of the two countries. He would also be conducting one-on-ones with some top US officials.