External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha met United States President George W Bush at the White House on Tuesday and discussed issues of bilateral concern.

During the 20-minute meeting, Bush congratulated Sinha on the "important progress" made in India-Pakistan ties.

"They also discussed the next steps in the strategic partnership between India and the United States" in the backdrop of Bush and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's simultaneous announcement on January 13 of enhancing bilateral cooperation in civilian nuclear, space and missile programmes, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said.

McClellan declined to comment on the deal between India and Russia regarding the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.

Among those present during the Bush-Sinha meeting were Secretary of State Colin Powell, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, and officials involved in moving forward the relationship with India.

Sinha is expected to follow up the issues he discussed with Bush when Powell hosts a lunch for him at the state department.