Obama talks to PM, says Indo-US ties 'very important'

US President-elect Barack Obama today telephoned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He told the PM that the US-India strategic relationship was a “very important partnership” and his administration would work together with India on all important global issues.

The call was placed this morning as earlier attempts to establish contact between the two sides failed to materialise because the PM was travelling abroad.

Singh congratulated Obama on his historic victory and said his success would be an inspiration for the oppressed people all over the world, according to PMO sources.

The PM said that the relationship between India and the US was “very good” but “we should not be satisfied with the status quo”.

Singh conveyed his best wishes for the success of the Obama administration in meeting challenges that faced the world.

The PM also invited Obama and his wife Michelle to visit India and told him that a warm welcome awaited them here, the sources said. The President-elect told Singh that he wished to make an early visit to India, the sources said.

Obama praised Singh’s contribution to the progress of India as finance minister earlier and as prime minister now.