Manmohan expresses satisfaction over talks

WASHINGTON D.C: .: In a significant development after the meeting that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had with American President George Bush at the White House, the United States, acknowledging India as a nuclear weapons power, agreed to cooperate with it in the area of civilian nuclear energy. This formulation was part of the joint statement to be issued following the talks, according to a highly-placed official source.

At the joint press conference held in the East Room of the White House, in reply to a question on how the prospects of lifting restrictions on nuclear material and high-technology supplies to India looked at the end of his discussion with Mr. Bush, Dr. Singh expressed "great satisfaction" over the manner in which the issue had been addressed. He said they had had "a very constructive and productive meeting" and thanked Mr. Bush for his personal role and interest in facilitating a solution to this complex problem.

Energy demands


In his preliminary remarks at the press conference, he touched on the same issue in the context of the importance of ensuring adequate energy and affordable supplies at a time when oil prices remained high. "Both of us recognise that civilian nuclear energy has a greater role in meeting global energy demands," he said and added that India had an "ambitious and attainable road map" on nuclear energy.

Mr. Bush said cleaner energy resources, including nuclear power, were vital for the future of both the economies. "We have begun an energy dialogue to find ways to work together in this important area," he noted.

In another noteworthy policy nuance, Mr. Bush, in reply to a question on what his view was on the Clinton administration's policy that the sanctity and peace along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir must be maintained, said the U.S. policy had not changed. Indian officials noted that this was the first time that the Bush administration had affirmed the sanctity of the LoC. As for Kashmir, he regarded it as a problem to be solved by India and Pakistan, and the American role was to encourage both the sides to work for a solution.

Mr. Bush, in his remarks at the press conference, said: "We are charting new steps in our defence relationship through the recently-signed new framework that will help our two nations work toward common security objectives. We're working together on counter-terrorism to help protect our people and make the world a safer place." Dr. Singh spoke of Mr. Bush's "steadfast determination and leadership in meeting the challenges of international terrorism" and asserted that there could be no cause that justified the killing of innocent and defenceless civilians. "There must be an international zero tolerance of terrorists," he said.

Reflecting the substantial economic agenda in the talks, both Dr. Singh and Mr. Bush spoke of the importance of the India-U.S. economic dialogue to focus high-level attention on trade, finance, investment and the environment and of the value of the CEOs Forum being inaugurated after the meeting between the two leaders.

The atmosphere when Dr. Singh arrived at the White House could not have been better nor the ceremonial welcome grander. American officials have in recent weeks been speaking of the growing profile of India in U.S. policy and of the importance of this visit. As if to match their words with symbolism, the Prime Minister was received with full state honours and an honour guard on the White House South Lawn by a President who is known to avoid ceremony and usually makes do with a cursory welcome — this was the first grand ceremony at the White House in Mr. Bush's second term.