US wants successful end of nuke deal with India

Washington, May 11: The White House has said the Bush administration is determined to see the successful conclusion of the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement.

In reply to a question yesterday, White House spokesman Tony Snow said that ''President Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh both are in support of the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement.'' ''And, look, it's important for us, it's important for the government of India and we're determined to make it happen,'' he said.

The spokesman confirmed that President Bush called Dr Singh on Monday last, saying, ''they talked about working forward to conclude the nuclear deal.'' According to an Indian government press statement, President Bush and Prime Minister Singh ''reviewed developments pertaining to negotiations on bilateral civil nuclear cooperation. They also discussed other regional matters.'' It said ''the President Bush invited the Prime Minister to visit the United States again. The Prime Minister accepted the invitation and said mutually convenient dates will be worked out.''

UNI