Indian PM leaves on first state visit of US

Singh's November 22-26 visit to Washington is the first full-fledged state visit of US President Barack Obama's presidency, featuring a ceremonial welcome and black-tie dinner at the White House.

Singh, who will hold formal talks with Obama on Tuesday, will also hold discussions with Vice-President Joseph Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defence Secretary Robert Gates besides the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.

In a departure statement, Singh said he looked forward to discussing "global threats and challenges of our times, such as international terrorism, climate change ... (and) the global economic slowdown" besides other issues.

"I also expect to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and other regional issues," he said.

India, which is expected to sign a counter-terrorism pact during this trip, is uncomfortable with Washington's reliance on arch-rival Pakistan in the US military campaign in Afghanistan.

New Delhi has expressed concerns that military and financial aid to Pakistan to help curb a resurgent Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan and parts of its northwest could be used by Islamabad to bolster its defences against India.