US President Barack Obama announced Thursday that he has accepted an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit India in November this year.
"I am delighted to announce tonight that I plan to visit India in early November," Obama said in a speech at the reception for the US-India Strategic Dialogue held in Washington.
In a special gesture, US President Barack Obama will also be attending a reception to be hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for her Indian counterpart S M Krishna here. Obama will highlight opportunities for increased bilateral cooperation in areas like defence, trade, energy and climate change.
Setting aside protocol, Obama will drive down from the White House to the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department to attend the reception to be hosted for the External Affairs Minister and other members of his delegation, who are here for the first Indo-US Strategic Dialogue.
The President will be going to the State Department, where the Strategic Dialogue is to be held, "given his personal interest in further strengthening our bilateral partnership," US National Security Council spokesman, Mike Hammer, said.
Obama's gesture to attend the reception tonight for the External Affairs Minister is being considered as rare on the part of the US President. US officials say Obama, despite having to spend much of his time on pressing issues like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, the Middle East and Korean peninsula, has shown personal interest in building strategic relationship with India.
Besides the President, Pretty Woman star Julia Roberts and sci-fi Jurassic Park director Steven Spielberg would be among chosen few to grace a gala reception. Also present in the reception would be some popular tennis stars. Knowing that Krishna is an avid tennis player, Clinton has made it a point to invite some top tennis stars, sources said.
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