Obama to receive Manmohan Singh on first state visit

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama will host Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House on November 24 for the first official visit of his presidency, the White House has said.

"This visit will be the first state visit of the administration and will highlight the strong and growing strategic partnership between the United States and India, and the friendship between the American and Indian people," the White House said in a statement yesterday.

During the visit, the Obama and Singh are expected to discuss a range of global, regional, and bilateral issues of shared interest and common concern.

The two leaders will also likely discuss the strategic dialogue that was launched in July during the visit of the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to India and review progress made in the dialogue.

Obama and the First Lady, Mitchelle, will also host Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur for an official state dinner on the night of November 24, it said.

"President Obama looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Singh to Washington and working with him to strengthen and enhance their partnership for the benefit of the people of both nations, and the world," the White House said.