New Delhi, October 31
US presidential election nominee Democrat Barack Obama has written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in which he has supported the Indo-US nuclear deal.

According to highly placed sources, the letter was received here earlier this week. Its is believed to be a friendly letter in which Obama is learnt to have congratulated Manmohan Singh for shepherding the nuclear cooperation agreement, which was consummated by the two countries, earlier this month.

Obama, who could not meet Manmohan Singh during the latter’s visit to New York last month due to pressing engagements following the unprecedented global economic crisis, hoped the nuclear cooperation agreement would lead to greater cooperation on the non-proliferation issue.

“Imagine our two democracies in action: Indian laboratories and industry collaborating with American laboratories and industry to discover innovative solutions to today’s energy problems. That’s the kind of new partnership I would like to build with India as President,” he wrote.

Foreign affairs experts are attaching great significance to the letter, which has come when Obama is in the thick of his election campaign.

“The very fact that he has written directly to the Indian Prime Minister shows his keenness to further strengthen ties with India if he becomes the next US President,’’ the experts said. Obama has already received some key support from the overseas Indian community.