Bush calls up PM, wants to move ahead on N-deal as soon as possible

New Delhi, July 25 : US President George W Bush had a telephonic talk with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh last night, and expressed a desire to quickly move forward on Indo-US nuclear deal. Manmohan is also learnt to have responded with the same wish.

In a statement, US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said, "Both leaders expressed their desire to see the US-India civil nuclear issue move forward as expeditiously as possible."

"Bush also told Manmohan 'he looks forward to continuing to work with his government to strengthen the United States India strategic relationship'", Johndroe added.

Earlier, the White House had warmly praised Manmohan for 'soldiering on' with a controversial US-India nuclear pact despite stiff opposition at home from the Communist parties. Besides, discussion was also held on stalled World Trade Organizations (WTO) talks.

"Bush and Singh discussed the importance of all leading WTO members making contributions to a breakthrough that will put the Doha Round negotiations on a path to conclude an ambitious agreement before the end of the year," Johndroe said.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said last evening that New Delhi was now waiting to clear the next hurdle of getting the nod of IAEA Board of Governors.

"First, we shall have to get the approval of the Board of Governors of IAEA for India-specific safeguards agreement. I understand that the meeting of the Board of Governors is scheduled on August 1. If we get the approval of the Board of Governors in respect to India specific safeguards agreement, then it will be taken up to the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Exact time frame is difficult to give, but we do hope, we will get the support of the countries," said Mukherjee.

The UPA Government had won the trust vote by 275 to 256.

ANI