Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke to US President Barack Obama on Monday evening. The conversation was described as warm and as covering a wide range of subjects, including bilateral and regional issues.
The two leaders were understood to have also discussed the situation obtaining in the region and the world today after the killing of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. President Obama has made telephone calls to a number of world leaders since the May 2 killing of Bin Laden.
Prime Minister Singh had termed Bin Laden’s killing as a significant step forward and asked the international community, and Pakistan in particular, to work comprehensively to end the activities of all terror groups. He had said he hoped that Bin Laden’s elimination would deal a “decisive blow” to Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups”.
Last week President Obama spoke to President Felipe Calderon of Mexico, British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Chilean President Miguel Juan Sebastian Pinera Echenique, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. “The leaders discussed the ongoing terrorist threat that will require steadfast efforts in the future and committed to working closely together to defeat Al Qaeda,” a media report had said quoting the White House. Later that week, Mr Obama also spoke to Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada and Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia.
The second round of the India-US strategic dialogue is likely to be held in July when US secretary of state Hillary Clinton will arrive here for talks with external affairs minister S.M. Krishna.