President Barack Obama Saturday described his “friend” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as “one of the most extraordinary leaders” he had met and said he greatly valued the Indian leader’s “friendship, wisdom and decency”.

The two leaders have met several times since their first interaction about 20 months ago in London and Obama was asked about his equation with Singh whom he will be meeting again in New Delhi next Monday.

“From our very first conversation in London, I have found that the Prime Minister and I share many of the same values, the same goals and the same vision for the well-being of our people,” he told PTI.

Stating that he and his wife Michelle were both excited to go to India, Obama remarked, “one of the great joys of my visit to India is the opportunity to see the Prime Minister again.”

Obama said, “Michelle and I were so pleased to host the Prime Minister and his wonderful wife (Gursharan Kaur) for our first State dinner (a year back).”