UN Congressional delegation concludes visit to India

New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) A bipartisan group of US Congressmen, led by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, today concluded a four-day visit to India during which he discussed recent initiatives including the civilian nuclear cooperation agreement.

The eight-member delegation, which met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, discussed how the Indo-US civilian nuclear energy agreement could help ensure tighter control of nuclear technology in future while improving India's ability to provide energy to its growing economy.

A US embassy spokesman described the visit as ''an opportunity to study the transforming relations between the United States and India and to learrn more about key bilateral issues.'' Sources said the delegation's positive endorsement of the Nuclear agreement would be crucial in getting the Congressional support for legislation in favour of nuclear the deal.

The visit followed a two-day tour of US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Richard Boucher, to India and his discussions with Mr Jaishankar, Joint Secretary (Americas) in the External Affairs Ministry, on the nuclear deal.

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