PM, Obama engage in phone dialogue

US president Barack Obama spoke with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday to discuss the inaugural "strategic dialogue" between the two governments which starts in Washington next week.

Obama, who is due to visit India later this year, also expressed sympathy to the Indian leader over the Air India Express plane crash in Mangalore and disaster sparked by Maoist rebels who derailed a high-speed train.

"The two leaders agreed that the dialogue is an important milestone in the development of the US-India strategic partnership and looked forward to its results," the White House said in a statement.

"President Obama and Prime Minister Singh also expressed their hope that the dialogue will initiate a regular exchange of ideas and discussion between their governments and both pledged their support toward that end," the statement added.

"President Obama also expressed his condolences about the recent tragic airline accident and recent train attack in India."

A statement from the Prime Minister's Office said, "The two leaders discussed the forthcoming strategic dialogue between the two countries scheduled next week in Washington."