New Delhi, India: November 12, 2008, MIL/IR Summary/Agencies -US president-elect Barack Obama has finally called Prime Minister Manmohan Singh early on Wednesday morning at 8:30am IST, dismissing the speculation that he had overlooked India by not calling the Prime Minister of India after winning the presidential election.

The US president-elect has talked to Mr. Manmohan Singh on telephone and said the US- India strategic relationship is a "very important partnership" and the administration wants to work together with India on all important global issues.

The call was placed this morning as earlier attempts to establish contact between the two sides failed to materialize because the Prime Minister was traveling abroad.

Singh congratulated Obama on his historic victory and said his success would be an inspiration for the oppressed people all over the world. He further said   that the relationship between India and the US are "very good" but "we should not be satisfied with the status quo".

Singh conveyed his best wishes for the success of the Obama administration in meeting challenges that face the world and  invited him  and his wife Michelle to visit India. .

Obama praised Mr. Manmohan Singh's contribution to the progress of India as finance minister earlier and the Prime Minister now.