May 24 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama invited Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit Washington D.C., and the two pledged to work together to tackle global terrorism and the economic slowdown, the U.S. embassy in India said.

Obama called Singh yesterday to congratulate him on being sworn in for a second term as India’s prime minister, and issued the invitation during the call, the embassy said in an e-mailed statement. Obama held his first face-to-face meeting with Singh in London during the Group of 20 summit in April.

The two leaders “discussed their mutual desire to strengthen U.S.-India relations, and work together to address common global challenges, such as the economic downturn, climate change, and counterterrorism,” the U.S. embassy said.

Singh took the oath of office as India’s prime minister for a second five-year term on May 22 after his Congress party-led alliance scored the nation’s biggest election win in two decades.

To contact the reporter on this story: Thomas Kutty Abraham in Mumbai at tabraham4@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: May 24, 2009 01:10 EDT