labels: Economy - general, Power
PM lauds Indo-US partnership as ''strategic''; IAEA board meet likely on 28 July news
09 July 2008

Displaying a lot of personal warmth, leaders of the world's two largest democracies, India  and the US, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and President George W Bush, emerged after a 50-minute long meeting at Hotel Windsor on Mt Poromoi and expressed satisfaction at the existing level of relationship between the two countries.

In their remarks to the media, both Dr Singh and Bush expressed mutual admiration for each other and spoke of the need for closer relationship between the two countries. President Bush also said, "We talked about the nuclear deal, how important it is for our respective countries." The leaders took no questions, however.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh meeting with the President of United States, Mr. George W. Bush on the sideline of G-8 summit, in Toyako, Japan on July 09, 2008. Meanwhile, diplomats at the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told the Associated Press that a board meeting will be held by the agency, very likely on 28 July, to approve new nuclear rules for India. The nuclear suppliers group (NSG) then is expected to meet within days if the IAEA board should clear the pact.

IAEA safeguards are critical for India if it expects to conduct business with countries exporting nuclear technology and fuel. These countries are grouped in the NSG.

The IAEA board meet is important to take forward a landmark nuclear deal negotiated by India and the US, aimed at ending India's nuclear isolation.

AP said the diplomats requested anonymity as they were revealing confidential information, for the dates are yet to be formally announced by India or the Vienna-based agency.
 
With outside partners in his government, the Left parties, plunging the nation into a crisis by withdrawing support, the prime minister appeared to be taking domestic political developments in his stride. He may have been rubbing it into his erstwhile Left allies further when he told the media he was satisfied with the state of the  bilateral relationship with the US. This he said had acquired the characteristics of a genuine ''strategic partnership.''

"I'm satisfied about our state of relationship which has truly acquired the characteristics of a genuine strategic partnership.

"I thank the president for his personal and magnificent role in the evolution of our relationship. All I can say is our relationship has never been in such good shape as it is today.

"It is the intention of my government as I believe it is also the will of the Indian people, particularly the thinking sessions of the people that in this increasingly inter-dependent world that we live in whether it is the question of climate change and global economy, India and US must stand tall and work together shoulder to shoulder that is what is going to be."

The ''strategic partnership'' has been the source of all problems with the Left, for it is this widening relationship with the US that has made them apprehensive.

In his remarks, Dr Singh did not refer to the nuclear deal, but said the two countries have made progress in all areas including nuclear, defence, space co-operation and education exchanges. He also said that the two leaders reviewed the state of Indo-American relations.

Dr Singh said India and US are working together in multilateral institutions for the success of Doha round.


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PM lauds Indo-US partnership as ''strategic''; IAEA board meet likely on 28 July