Singh asks Bush to address concerns on N-deal

Keen to see the early conclusion of the pathbreaking Indo-US nuclear deal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday conveyed to President George W Bush India's specific concerns over proposed American legislation granting waivers for nuclear commerce and sought "constructive solutions" to these problems.

During the 30-minute meeting at the heavily guarded Konstantinovsky Palace complex, Singh also brought up India's concerns over terrorism and Bush shared his anxiety, observing that "America mourns the loss of innocent lives as a result of the terrorist attacks".

"There are some concerns which worry us and our Parliament," Singh said in an apparent reference to attempts being made to legally bind India against nuclear testing. "We are a democracy and we are accountable to Parliament which zealously keeps a watch on what we do and what we do not do," he said.

Referring to the July 18, 2005 agreement on civil nuclear cooperation as a "wonderful deal", Bush said, "Our Congress is working on that important piece of legislation that will encourage and allow India and US cooperation, and I am optimistic we'll get that passed." The Bush-Singh chemistry came to the fore with the US President praising the prime minister. "It's always a pleasure to be in your company. The prime minister is one of the really true gentlemen in the international arena. He's got a wonderful heart," Bush said in his opening remarks.

Bush said the G-8 leaders had cobbled together a very important statement condemning terrorist violence. Referring to the recent conflict in the Middle East, he spoke of "terrorist activity -- namely Hezbollah, that's housed and encourage by Syria, financed by Iran, and making moves to stop the progress of peace".

"The reason why I am telling you this is that you will find nations willing to work together for the common good here (in fighting terrorism)," Bush told Singh. Singh was assisted by National Security Advisor M K Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran while US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and top officials were present from the American side.

The prime minister, who was meting Bush after a gap of three months, thanked the US leader and Rice for their efforts to get the legislation on nuclear cooperation moving through the Congress. Describing the nuclear deal "truly as landmark cooperation", he said it was a "permanent reconciliation" of Indo-US relations. Appreciating the support extended by Bush following the terror blasts in Mumbai, Singh recalled his visit to the city on Friday. "I have just been there - 200 people, innocent men, women and children have perished, about 800 citizens injured being treated in various hospitals. It was such a moving sight, people without limbs and always sad," he said.

Describing Bush's visit to India in March as a "landmark one", Singh said he was glad the two sides were making progress in all directions.

Singh said an investors forum would be held in India towards the end of the year. The CEOs Forum set up last year has been very active and produced a number of good ideas, he said. "The knowledge initiative between us should usher in a second green revolution," Singh said.

A roadmap has been agreed on and key sectors like agricultural education, food processing and water management have been identified, he said. "It means a great deal to us to build a new thrust to agricultural innovation and agricultural productivity," he observed. In science and technology too, it has been decided to work together and invite national level science and technology coordinators, Singh said.