Successful implementation of nuke deal: Rice

Washington, Nov 18: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said that successful implementation of the India-US civil nuclear initiative was a key element of a new strategic partnership between the two countries.

Rice said the deal will help India meet its growing energy needs, besides enhancing cooperation in energy security and non-proliferation, and increasing economic investment opportunities between the two countries.

Welcoming the strong support for the civil nuclear deal shown by Thursday's 85-12 vote in the Senate, Rice said, ''We look forward to working with India to fully implement this agreement, to fulfilling the commitments made by President Bush and Prime Minister Singh in July last year and March this year.'' ''This is a great step forward in realizing their shared vision that the world's oldest and largest democracies accomplish great things in the new century,'' she said in a statement from Vietnam, where he is attending the APEC summit.

''We look forward to the Senate-House Conference in December, when remaining issues of concern to the US government can be addressed,'' she added.

UNI

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