India committed to implementing civil nuke deal with US: Krishna

Washington, June 3 (ANI): India is committed to implementing the 2005/2008 civil nuclear cooperation accord, said visiting External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna on Wednesday.

"Indian Government is committed to implementation of the historic 2008 civil nuclear cooperation accord, which could open the door to billions of dollars in business for US nuclear plant manufacturers," Krishna said.

Addressing members of the US India Business Council here, Krishna said: "New Delhi has put in place new liability laws that mark the final piece of the 2008 deal.

"We are well within the agreed timelines. Of course the government is committed to put in place a nuclear liability regime. We look forward to US companies investing in India. Many of you are in dialogue with our companies already. We would like to be as robust a partnership as we have both admissioned," he added.

Krishna acknowledged that other major issues, including the unfolding situation in Afghanistan would also come up at the meeting.

"We will talk about our many shared strategic interests. That range from countering terrorism and extremism, advancing nuclear security, working to secure the global commons, succeeding in Afghanistan and shaking a stable balanced and co operative Asia, to dialogues for cooperation in science, and technology," he said.

He also mentioned that the fast-expanding economic ties between the two countries, were a sign of a solid foundation and that business and technology innovation would be at the heart of the relationship going forward.

"I am confident that an economic partnership holds immense potential for the prosperity of two countries," he said.

He further said that he looks forward to better cooperation between various sectors of both the countries.

"We look forward to evermore brilliant achievements, and joint successes as our scientists, engineers and business and industries, forge new path as they progress, in their cooperation," opined Krishna. (ANI)