US for closer ties with India: White House

Washington, Jan 6: The United States looks forward to India being a closer ally and an increasingly important one, says the White House spokesman Tony Snow.

Asked about the possibility of President Bush' visit to India, he said, ''I'm sure there will continue to be high level contacts, but I don't have anything to say about (the presidential) visits at this point, and don't know anything about them.'' ''India is a large, booming, vital country with a rapidly expanding economy, and we are delighted to be having closer and continuing closer relationships with the government of India and the people of India,'' he added in reply to another question.

''So there are now before us any number (of issues) -- there is regional security, trade, the normal set of challenges and opportunities that you'd have in dealing with any global power or ally.'' Snow said, the civil nuclear agreement was obviously a very important signal to the people of India about the intent of this government and the people of the United States.

UNI