Washington:
The White House has reiterated that India is an important ally of the United States and that the Obama Administration would work with New Delhi to bring peace in the region.
"I think it goes without saying that India is an important ally," White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs, told reporters at his daily press briefing.
The Obama Administration has been very keen to strengthen and deepen its relationship with India, an emerging regional and global power.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been given the honour by US President Barack Obama to be his first presidential state guest in late November, thus indicating the importance attached to India by the current administration.
"We will have after we get back from our trip to Asia, an important event here at the White House, the President's first state dinner," Gibbs said in reference to the state visit of Singh on November 24.
"Obviously we continue to be very engaged with the Indians to bring about peace in obviously an important region of the world," Gibbs said when asked if Obama after receiving the Noble Peace Prize would work harder than ever for global peace, including in the Indian sub continent.