Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met US President George W Bush on Wednesday on the sidelines of the G8 summit
TOYAKO: Against the backdrop of the political turmoil in India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh discussed progress on the Indo-US nuclear deal on Wednesday with President George W Bush who said the deal is important for both the countries.
Meeting in Hotel Windsor on mount Poromoi hours before the Left parties would be withdrawing support on the nuclear deal, both Singh and Bush expressed mutual admiration for each other and spoke of the need for closer relationship between
the two countries.
After their 50-minute meeting, the two leaders appeared before press in a relaxed mood and displayed lot of personal warmth.
The turbulent political developments back home did not appeared to have any impact on the Prime Minister, who has staked a great deal on the nuclear agreement, when he said he was satisfied about the state of bilateral relationship which has truly acquired the characteristics of a genuine strategic partnership.
The leaders made the remarks after a meeting but took no questions.
Bush, who first spoke, said "We talked about the nuclear deal, how important it is for our respective countries."
Singh in his remarks did not refer to the deal but said the two countries have made progress in all areas including nuclear, defence, space co-operation and education exchanges.
The Prime Minister said the two leaders reviewed the state of Indo-American relations.
"I'm very happy to convey to the President that our relationship has moved forward since our first meeting in July 2005 (when they okayed the nuclear deal). We have made progress in all areas. We have made progress in nuclear co-operation, defence co-operation and space co-operation and in educational exchanges.
Singh said India and US are working together in multilateral institutions for the success of Doha round.
"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 thequestion 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."
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