India a very important country: White House

On the eve of a crucial meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama, the White House on Monday said the United States considers India a very important country in a very important part of the world.

The invitation of State Dinner, the first of the Obama administration, extended to Dr Singh shows the significance Obama attaches to his relationship with India, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said, adding the State Dinner is to showcase this relationship with India.

Besides discussing bilateral issues, the two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of regional and global and regional issues including counter-terrorism and climate change.

The two leaders are expected to meet at the White House on Tuesday morning following which they are likely to issue a joint statement and address a press conference.

Obama will also host Dr Singh and his wife on the First State Dinner of his Administration.

"I think it's the importance of our relationship with India on a host of issues. Obviously, counter terrorism is important," Gibbs said at his daily news conference.

"The economic recovery in the world economy, our relationship with them in terms of energy and climate change, I think India, obviously, is in a very important region of the world, and I think it demonstrates the importance that that relationship has in the world," Gibbs said.