Manmohan calls up Obama

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke with U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday evening in the run-up to the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries scheduled for next week in Washington.

The two leaders discussed issues that will figure prominently during the Foreign Minister-led talks such as high technology trade, science and technology, civil nuclear cooperation, security and strategic issues, according to an official release. The conversation also covered agriculture and human resource development.

Mr. Obama conveyed his condolences on the loss of lives in last week's Mangalore air crash.

The Prime Minister said a warm welcome awaited the President and his family in India.