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New Delhi and Washington signed a civilian nuclear deal in 2008 under Obama's predecessor George W Bush, reversing decades of US non-proliferation policies, and bilateral ties are at their closest for years.
India is trying to mount a diplomatic offensive against nuclear-armed rival Pakistan after the Mumbai attacks that killed 179 people in November.
New Delhi wants Islamabad to crack down on the Pakistan-based militants who India and the United States say were behind the attacks. India accuses some Pakistan state agencies of involvement, a charge its neighbour strongly denies.
"The letter focuses on the multi-faceted relationship that is anchored in the common values of democracy, pluralism and respect for diversity, shared by the two countries," the government statement said.
"He (Singh) expressed the hope that the bilateral relations between India and the USA would strengthen further."
Analysts say Obama and his Western allies may, rather than join India in pushing Pakistan to arrest those behind the attacks, side with those urging India to find a solution to the problem of Kashmir, claimed in full but ruled in part by both India and Pakistan, as a way to bring security to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
A growing number of think-tanks and strategic experts, some linked to the Obama administration, have said they believe finding a solution to Kashmir would rid the region of one of its main sources of Islamist militant recruitment.
Obama suggested during his election campaign that a special envoy was needed for Kashmir, but India sees the region, the focus of two wars with Pakistan, as a bilateral issue and dismisses any outside attempt to influence developments.
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I am surprised at why the Indians have been so upbeat about Obama being elected as the President of the United States. At the same time, I am somewhat (unpleasantly) surprised by how the Indian has been critical of the Bush administration. While Bush went out of way to establish stronger ties with India - sometimes even at the cost of US-Pak relations. His snub to President Musharraf in November 07 and many other occasions is a remarkable example of this. On the other hand, Obama has not made any significant positive gestures towards India so far. His foreign policy document does not make any substantial mention of India as an ally on its so called “war on terror”. Similarly his linking of Mumbai attacks with the violence is Kashmir perpetrated by Pakistan trained Jihadis reflects his political naiveté. I think it will be unwise on the part of the Indian political establishment in particular and the Indian public in general to expect any major shift in the US policy towards Pakistan.
Is USA into charity? We must first figure out what we want from USA. Next, we must find what USA wants from us. Then, one negotiates ensuring that one gets FIRST before GIVING. We all know what we want from USA. (1) Kill Muslim Extremism in Pakistan (2) Open their markets for labour, goods and services. In return, India can do the following: (1) Provide sound bytes for Kashmir and linking Tibet issue with Kashmir. (2) Allow USA to participate in the nuclear commerce as equal partner, defence contracts and opening of Services Sector like Insurance. But ensure, one gets before it gives. Democrat governments are like serpents who generally bite whoever is closest and weakest. They also believe ONLY in TAKING and NEVER in GIVING.