www.expressindia.com - Weather | Horoscope | Stocks | RSS
expressindia web city
HomeBlogsCricketAstrologyShopping TendersClassifieds Opinions Hotels
Sign In / Register | Archive
Expressindia » Story

US assures India it will proceed with nuclear deal

Font Size

Agencies

Posted: Mar 11, 2009 at 1555 hrs IST
Obama

Washington The new Obama Administration on Wednesday assured India that it will proceed with the landmark Indo-US nuclear deal, signed during George W Bush's tenure, and said the two countries needed to ramp up cooperation in counter-terrorism and global issues such as climate change.

Senior State department officials gave the assurance to Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon, who is on a four-day official visit.

Menon on Monday met Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and discussed the nuclear deal, counter-terrorism cooperation, bilateral issues, Sri Lankan conflict and bringing the situation under control in war-torn Afghanistan.

During his talks with Under-Secretary for Political Affairs Nicolas Burns on Wednesday, Menon discussed the landmark civil nuclear deal and other bilateral issues.

During his meeting with the Secretary of State, Clinton told Menon that the two countries needed to ramp up their cooperation in bilateral and global issues including climate change and counter-terrorism.

"The Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, its current status and the way forward too was discussed during the meeting (between Menon and Clinton)," State Department Acting Spokesman Robert Wood told reporters.

"I think there was a bit of a discussion on the additional protocol that was just worked out with the IAEA," Wood said.

The nuclear deal, which was initiated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the then US President George W Bush in 2005, was signed in October 2008 after it was approved by the Congress.

President Barack Obama had in 2008 indicated that his administration will take forward the deal.

"It was a very, very good meeting -- very warm meeting," Woods said referring to the first high level meeting between the two countries.

The Mumbai terror attack also figured during the talks Menon had with Clinton, Burns and National Security Adviser General James Jones.

"I think the way they discussed the issue was the fact that we've got to do what we can to try to prevent these types of attacks from happening again."

"I think you can view it in the overall level of cooperation that both the United Sates and India are involved in," Wood said.

The spokesman said there are a number of issues where the US and India can work together.

Clinton and Menon also talked a bit about Afghanistan and what needs to be done.

"Secretary was very interested in hearing Foreign Secretary Menon's views on this subject as well as a host of others," he said.

On Afghanistan, Clinton listened to the Indian views point and not asking India to do something specific.

"It wasn't so much that we were asking India to do anything specifically. But the Secretary wanted to hear the Foreign Secretary's views on the best way forward in Afghanistan, from the Indian point of view. That was, in essence, the basis of the discussion," Woods said.

On climate change, Clinton and Menon talked in general about the importance of working together to try to deal with the issue of climate change and global warming, said Wood, who was present during the meeting.

Menon also met key Congressional leaders Jim McDermott, co-chair of the India caucus at the Congress; Howard L Berman, Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs; and Senator Richard Lugar, Ranking Member of the powerful Senate Committee on International Relations.

Discuss this story on expressindia forums
Post Comments
Name* Email ID*
Subject* Country*
Message*
Characters remaining
 
TERMS OF USE: The views, opinions and comments posted are your, and are not endorsed by this website. You shall be solely responsible for the comment posted here. The website reserves the right to delete, reject, or otherwise remove any views, opinions and comments posted or part thereof. You shall ensure that the comment is not inflammatory, abusive, derogatory, defamatory &/or obscene, or contain pornographic matter and/or does not constitute hate mail, or violate privacy of any person (s) or breach confidentiality or otherwise is illegal, immoral or contrary to public policy. Nor should it contain anything infringing copyright &/or intellectual property rights of any person(s).
I agree to the terms of use.
In the long run India loses by palkodimir on 15 Mar 2009

it is all american policy of political expediency. In the longrun, India will be a loser. The following is American view: Chine is our adversary, and China considers India as its economic adversary, so let us support the adversary of China.. it is the immoral political dictum of my enemy's enemy is my friend. India may have economic development in the short run because of its honeymooning with america in the short run, as the American slaves like Taiwan and South Korea had had by selling their souls, but in the long run the marriage of convenience is going to be estranged and end in dissolution. Chinese can anytime be trusted much more than the cunning Americans. India should get it of its bias towards its neighbours, even the troubles with Pakistan is a temporary phenomena

Latest News

Business

Showbiz

Sports

India can't quiz Headley, Rana in US: NSA Jones

‘Peeved’ Smita Thackeray on her way to join Cong

Cornered Zardari hands over Nuke control to Pak PM Gilani

Again, India votes against Iran’s nuclear programme

China-Pak military nexus a matter of serious concern: Antony

Suicide attacks a curse for Muslims: Saudi Grand Mufti

26/11 fallout: Mumbai top cop Maria wants to quit

More
Featured Services
© 2009 The Indian Express Limited. All rights reserved
The Indian Express Group | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Work With Us | Site Map