India, US ink nuclear deal

India and the United States have reached an understanding on the implementation of the civil nuclear co-operation agreed last year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced today.

Addressing a joint press conference with US President George W Bush after their talks, Singh said the finalistion of identification of civilian facilities would begin soon.

Discussions would be held with IAEA on the guidelines for bringing the civilian nuclear reactors under its safeguards, Singh said.

The Prime Minister said the US President has given an assurance that he would approach the US Congress for endorsing the deal.

Singh said the two countries have "arrived at a mutually satisfactory understanding with regard to carrying forward the process" that was reached between him and President Bush on July 18, 2005.

He said an important step forward is the preparation of a plan that separates civilian from nuclear military facilities, and "it has been sucessfully completed."

"Now, it is for the US government to go to the Congress and make necessary amendments to the laws  (for implementing the deal) and to approach the nuclear suppliers group (NSG) for working the deal," he said.

India would also work with IAEA to workout the India-specific safeguards for civilian nuclear facilities, he said.

"We have made very satisfactory progress, and I thank President Bush without whose initiative it would not have been possible," the Prime Minister said.

Singh said the joint statement to be issued contains a number of annoucements and initiatives in areas like energy, agriculture, science and technology, trade and investment, hi-technology, health and clean environment.

"This is a highly ambitious agenda - one that is befitting our growing strategic partnership. When implemented, they will make a real difference to the lives of our people," he said.

He said both the sides reviewed the global situation during the talks. "Our discussion today makes me confident that there is no limit to the Indo-US partnerships," he added.

Bush said both sides had a "lengthy and constructive dialogue on a wide-range of issues.

"India and America have built a strategic partnership based upon common values. Our two democracies respect religious pluralism and the rule of law. We seek to foster economic development through trade and advancing the entrepreneurial spirit in both countries," he said.

He said India and America have faced terrorist attacks on their soil. "We are sharing information to protect each other. We have a common desire to enhance the security of our peoples. We are co-operating on the military front," he added.