External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh on Thursday spoke to US Secretary of State-designate Condoleeza Rice, with the latter indicating that she was looking to ‘‘more solid ’’ bilateral relations with India.Congratulating Rice on her being nominated for the top post in Bush’s Cabinet, Singh, in a brief conversation, said he looked forward to working with her to further strengthen Indo-US relations.Rice (50), considered one of the architects of the Bush administration according high priority to enhanced ties with India, succeeds Colin Powell.Rice, who is a combination of hardline and moderate voices in the White House has worked closely with Powell while fashioning the US’ relationship with India over the last four years.
