NEW DELHI, Nov 4: Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has warmly congratulated US President George Bush on his re-election and expressed the hope that he would visit New Delhi sometime very soon, an official statement said.

In his letter to President Bush, Dr Singh said: "It gives me great pleasure to extend warmest congratulations on your re-election as President of the United States of America. My good wishes as well as those of the Government and people of India are with you as you prepare to lead your great nation, drawing on a strong mandate, in the years ahead."

Dr Singh, hoping for closer economic and defence ties with the United States, recalled his discussion with President Bush in New York in September, which "focussed on the overriding priority of making the future more secure."

He said the global war against terrorism and efforts to combat WMD proliferation "will benefit enormously from your steadfast resolve and leadership. As partners against terrorism and WMD proliferation, we will stand by the United States in strengthening international peace and stability."

Dr Singh also told President Bush that India welcomed the successful holding of presidential elections in Afghanistan, "which is in consonance with the vital interests of both our countries. We all have a stake in the early return of Iraq to the international mainstream as a democratic country. India is ready to contribute to the electoral process early next year."

One major goal of the policies of both countries must be to continue to deny any comfort or encouragement to religious extremism or terrorism, and resolve to ensure their complete elimination as an acceptable instrument of state policy, Dr Singh said.

"I look forward to working with you as we re-dedicate ourselves to further strengthen the progress that we have made in the last few years," he said.