New Delhi–Close on the heels of the US appreciating India’s support to the IAEA resolution, President George W Bush spoke to PM Manmohan Singh and reviewed bilateral relations covering the path-breaking nuclear deal between the two countries.
During the ten-minute telephonic conversation initiated by the US side, the two leaders “reviewed the implementation of the 18th July Indo-US joint statement and other bilateral issues and touched on developments in the region”, Prime Minister’s media adviser Sanjaya Baru said in a brief statement.
Washington has termed as “very significant” India’s vote in favour of the US-backed EU-3 (Britain, Germany and France) resolution at the IAEA against Iran’s controversial nuclear programme.
Washington has termed as “very significant” India’s vote in favour of the US-backed EU-3 (Britain, Germany and France) resolution at the IAEA against Iran’s controversial nuclear programme.
Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns had said in Washington “we are very grateful for India’s support and it’s significant that India is now working very closely with the United States and Europe to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power.”
Bush’s telephonic conversation comes within two weeks of his meeting with Singh in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly and their historic summit in Washington in July this year.
In the joint statement issued after their July meeting, the US had recognised India as a responsible state with advanced nuclear technology and agreed to supply nuclear fuel for Tarapore reactors following a series of commitments by India, including voluntarily placing its civil nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards.
In Washington, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said “It was a brief conversation (between Bush and Singh). They discussed US-India relations, regional developments and issues, and plans for implementing the 18th July, US-India joint communique.”