US sees strong world role for India

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The White house trip by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is the first full state visit since Barack Obama came to office. [Reuters]

Last Updated: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:26:00 +1100

American President Barack Obama has praised India's prime minister Manmohan Singh as a wise leader who helped unleash India's extraordinary economic growth.

Mr Obama was speaking at a joint White House news conference after talks covering a wide range of issues, including climate change, trade and nuclear cooperation.

It is the first full state visit by a foreign leader since Mr Obama entered the White House.

The US leader described India as "indispensable" to global security and prosperity.

"I believe that the relationship between the United states and India will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century. And this visit underscores the strengthening of that partnership which I hope will continue throughout my presidency," he said.

Mr Obama says he has accepted an invitation to visit India next year.