I will miss working with you, Barack Obama tells Manmohan Singh

United States President Barack Obama called up Manmohan Singh soon after he demitted office and said he was one of the few public leaders whom he admired and that he would miss working with him.

According to a release from the Prime Minster's Office (PMO), Obama said, "It has been a great pleasure to serve with you, there are very few people in public life that I have admired or appreciated more". During the farewell telephone call, Obama said the prime minister's tenure has been good for India and Indo-US relations and that he would miss working with Singh.

Singh thanked President Obama for his kind words and for his support and friendship while working with him. He said, "Your leadership has been an important factor in evolving a more cooperative framework in addressing global challenges".

Singh said that the past decade has seen a significant transformation of Indo-US relations and significant progress was made in the last five years This, he said, would not have been possible without the president's commitment, vision and leadership. "India-US relations are also indispensable to advance peace, stability and prosperity. I am therefore very optimistic and confident about this relationship, which I am sure the next Indian government will do everything to promote further", he added.