Friday, June 3 2005 19:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Embarking on his first bilateral visit to deepen and widen the Indo-US ties, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet President George W Bush on July 18.

The three-day visit, at the invitation of Bush, is aimed at taking the process further based on a shared vision of the leaders of the two democracies, External Affairs Ministry spokesman said in New Delhi today (Jun 3, 2005).

A host of issues, including civilian nuclear energy, cooperation in space and technology and UN reforms are expected to figure in the talks between the two leaders, officials said New Delhi.

Ways of further boosting the ties will also be explored during the discussions, the officials said.

Singh and Bush have met at least twice, including on the sidelines of last year's UN General Assembly since the (United Progressive Alliance) UPA Government came to power last May but the upcoming meeting between the two leaders will be the first at bilateral level.

India and the US are engaged in the process of enhancing their multi-faceted cooperative relationship with a number of high-level exchanges taking place recently.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited India in March soon after her appointment in the second term of Bush.

Her visit was followed by the one by Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca and top Defence officials.