By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The landmark India-US civil nuclear deal resulting in a strong and enduring partnership with New Delhi would enhance America’s national security and economy, a top US lawmaker said Tuesday.
However, the implementation of this historic deal would depend greatly on the diplomatic work by the new US ambassador to India, Senator Dick Lugar, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said at a confirmation hearing for Tim Roemer, President Barack Obama’s nominee for the job.
“With this pact, our country embraced a policy based on the premise that the national security and economic future of the United States would be enhanced by a strong and enduring partnership with India,” he said.
“Although the agreement has been concluded, its success will depend greatly on the diplomatic work overseen by our next ambassador,” the senator said, adding: “Roemer’s national security experience will be put to excellent use as ambassador to India.”
The landmark India-US Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation Agreement concluded in 2008 was one of the most important strategic diplomatic initiatives undertaken by the US in the last decade, he said.