Obama says Manmohan Singh is 'part of family'

US President Barack Obama says he is eagerly awaiting to host Manmohan Singh for the first state visit next month and that he considers India and the Prime Minister as "part of his family".

As the White House gears up to host Singh on November 24, Obama told eminent Indian-American leader Sant Chatwal that he considers India and the Prime Minister "as part of his family". "This is the reason why I decided to invite Manmohan Singh, who I admire a lot, on the first state visit of my presidency on the Thanks Giving Day," Obama was quoted as saying by Chatwal, who met the President along with Senator Christopher Dodd, Democratic Co-Chairman

of Senate India Caucus.

"He told me that he considers India and Singh as part of his family. This is something, which we are very proud to hear from him," Chatwal told PTI. "The President is eagerly looking forward to hosting the Prime Minister at the White House (on November 24). He (Obama) told me that he is looking forward to building a great relationship with India. He told me that this is not just the First State Dinner, it is a family dinner," he said.