U.S. Has Very Important Relationship With India: White House

WASHINGTON: The U.S. has a very important relationship with India, the White House said on Thursday.

"We have a very important relationship with India," White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters at his daily news conference responding to questions on recent cover story by the Time magazine in which Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was described as an "underachiever".

"What President ( Barack Obama) thinks of India's Prime Minister Manmohan or his relationship with him?" Carney was asked.

"I haven't had that conversation with him. I mean, we have a very important relationship with India, as you know, but I haven't had that conversation with him lately," Carney responded.

While there has been significant improvement in bilateral trade and economic relationship, there is much more that can be done, Carney said.

"As stategic partners, it is importnat that U.S. be open and frank about how best to go about the bilateral trade and economic relationship," said Carney.