The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Washington

US President-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday telephoned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and said that the US- India strategic relationship is a "very important partnership" and the administration wants to work together with India on all important global issues.

The call was placed this morning as earlier attempts to establish contact between the two sides failed to materialise because the prime minister was travelling abroad.

Singh congratulated Obama on his historic victory and said his success would be an inspiration for the oppressed people all over the world, according to PMO sources.

The prime minister said that the relationship between India and the US was "very good" but "we should not be satisfied with the status quo". Singh conveyed his best wishes for the success of the Obama administration in meeting challenges that face the world.

The prime minister also invited Obama and his wife Mitchelle to visit India, the sources said. Obama praised Singh's contribution to the progress of India as finance minister earlier and the prime minister now.