Friday, January 21 2005 10:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The night before taking over as U S President for the second term, George W Bush spoke to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and told him about his desire to visit India which is expected to take place later this year.

Bush called up Singh and told him that he was looking forward to visit India later this year, Prime Minister's spokesman Sanjay Baru said toady (Jan 20, 2005).

"We are also eagerly looking forward to your visit to India," Singh told Bush.

The US President complimented India on handling of the situation following the tsunami disaster and praised the role of civil and Defence personnel, particularly Naval forces, in reaching relief to the areas badly hit by the tsunami which left over two lakh people dead in several countries.

Bush told Singh that he was impressed with the speed with which India acted in reaching relief to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and other areas as also to Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia.