Obama visit will reinforce strong partnership: US

As National Security Advisor James Jones wound up his visit to New Delhi, the US said on Thursday that the two countries had identified areas for further cooperation and that the upcoming visit by President Barack Obama would demonstrate the strong and enduring partnership between them.

Jones, who was in India to prepare the ground for Obama's visit, discussed with his counterpart Shivshankar Menon the full range of key bilateral issues that face the two countries, US Deputy National Security Council spokesman Ben Chang said in a statement.

They also discussed regional security, cooperation in Afghanistan and trade and economic relations, he said.

Chang said Jones' successful visit also served to reinforce the strategic partnership between the two countries "defined by a foundation of common principles and values" and "to map out further those areas in which mutual cooperation can lead to greater prosperity, security, and progress for both our countries and the world."

Jones discussed preparations for the upcoming visit later this year by Obama and his "hope that the visit will be a demonstration of the strong cooperation and enduring partnership between the United States and India," Chang said.

Obama will be undertaking State visit to India in November, marking his first trip to the country since he took over in January last year.

A statement by the prime minister's office said the two sides reviewed the status of bilateral strategic partnership besides discussing preparations for Obama's State visit. Apart from bilateral relations, the two sides discussed regional and global issues, including the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, international terrorism, the global governance architecture and emerging threats to international security, the PMO said. "Discussions were positive, constructive and forward looking," it said.

During his two-day stay here, Jones also called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister P Chidambaram, Defence Minister A K Antony and Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee Air Marshal P V Naik and Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley. Jones expressed his appreciation for the hospitality and warmth of his interlocutors and the people of India, Chang said.