By Arun Kumar

Washington, Dec 3 (IANS): White House heaped high praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he has a clear understanding of the India-US relationship and a clear vision for where he wants to take his country.

President Barack Obama "certainly does respect Prime Minister Modi and has appreciation for his skills and abilities as a politician," the White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters here Wednesday when asked about the relationship between the two leaders.

"He also is somebody who is given the very difficult challenge of sitting atop the world's largest democracy -- that's not easy work, and the President of the United States has special insight into how difficult it is."

Obama, who met the Indian Prime Minister for the sixth time in Paris during the climate change summit, has found "Modi to be somebody who is honest and direct," he said.

He is "somebody who has good command of the facts; somebody who has a clear understanding of the issues that confront his country and our relationship," Earnest said.

"He is also somebody that has a clear vision for where he wants to take his country. And that makes him not just an effective politician but an effective Prime Minister."

Earnest noted that Obama "has had the opportunity to consult with Prime Minister Modi on a number of occasions."

"And I think that isn't just a testament to their good working relationship -- it actually is a testament to the important issues that are at stake between our two countries."

"And the ability of the leaders of our two countries to work through those issues and to advance our shared interests is a good thing -- it's a good thing for the world, it's also a good thing for the citizens of our two countries," Earnest said.

Asked if Obama had invited Modi for a seventh meeting early next year at the White House, the spokesman said he was not "aware of any meetings that are on the agenda at this point, but I certainly wouldn't rule out another visit by Prime Minister Modi before the end of next year."