Obama to Visit India Next Year

President Barack Obama has hailed bilateral relations with India, and says he has accepted an invitation to travel to the country next year.

Mr. Obama is hosting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House for the first state visit of his presidency.

The president said he and the prime minister made progress in talks on climate change, and will work together to fight terrorism and other transnational threats. He said the two countries can cooperate in economic recovery and create jobs for both Americans and Indians.

Prime Minister Singh said the two countries are working to increase jobs and prosperity by intensifying trade and investments.

The two leaders pledged to deepen cooperation in nuclear power and space programs, and agreed to the full implementation of an existing civilian nuclear agreement between the nations.

Mr. Obama also said Pakistan has made some progress in dealing with extremists who have been operating in Pakistan.

India has accused members of Pakistan's military of links to terrorist attacks abroad, including in India, and of doing little to prevent extremists from operating out of Pakistan. Mr. Obama said the goal is to achieve peace and security in the whole region.

Later Tuesday, the prime minister and his wife will be honored at a White House state dinner.

Monday, Mr. Singh said India and the United States plan to sign a memorandum of understanding on energy security, clean energy and climate change. He said the two countries are finalizing details that will make their civilian nuclear cooperation agreement "fully operational."

The U.S.-India civilian nuclear agreement was signed into law by then-U.S. President George W. Bush in 2008. It ended a 30-year ban on sales of nuclear fuel and technology to India - as long as New Delhi opened up its civilian nuclear facilities to international inspections.

Mr. Singh arrived in the United States Sunday for a four-day visit. He travels on to Trinidad and Tobago.