Washington, Feb 21 (IANS): India and the US have agreed to sustain the momentum generated by the President Barack Obama's visit to India and follow up on key issues, including implementation of the nuclear deal and clean energy and climate cooperation.

US National Security Advisor Susan Rice and the visiting Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar agreed to do so at a meeting Friday at the White House, according to a readout issued by the White House. Jaishankar, who was serving as India's ambassador to the US, was in a surprise move elevated as India's top diplomat a day after Obama's India visit while he was still in New Delhi.

He has come to Washington to say goodbye as ambassador and renew contacts with officials in his new capacity.

Rice congratulated Jaishankar "on his recent promotion to Foreign Secretary and affirmed that she looks forward to working with him to further advance the US-India relationship," it said.

"They agreed to sustain the momentum generated by the President's visit to India for Republic Day and to follow up on key issues, including implementation of civil nuclear cooperation and clean energy and climate cooperation."

"They also exchanged views on regional events and agreed that the United States and India will engage in more frequent and deeper consultations on global and multilateral issues," the statement added.