US National Security Advisor Susan Rice has said, President Barack Obama's proposed visit to India in January next year is an opportunity to strengthen and expand bilateral strategic partnership. PTI quotes her as saying that Mr Obama looks forward to the visit.

Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and a close confidant of Obama, Ben Rhodes wrote on Twitter that the President's visit is a sign of close ties and friendship between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday invited Barack Obama to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. The US President has accepted the invitation.