
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 8220;part of his family8221;.
As 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 8220;as part of his family8221;.
8220;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,8221; Obama was quoted as saying by Chatwal,who met the President along with Senator Christopher Dodd,Democratic Co-Chairman of Senate India Caucus.
8220;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,8221; said Chatwal.
8220;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,8221; he said.
In American culture,only family members are invited for the thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November usually as a gathering of family members and friends.
The official State Dinner on November 24 is a day before the Thanks giving Day,Chatwal said. Chatwal said Obama told him that the visit of the Secretary of State,Hillary Clinton,to India early this year was a very successful one.
8220;The US President is looking forward to building great relationship with India,8221; he said.