Bush, Singh agree to forge ahead on nuclear pact

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President George W. Bush telephoned Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday to discuss joint efforts to forge ahead on their countries' controversial nuclear deal, the White House said.

"Both leaders expressed their desire to see the US-India civil nuclear issue move forward as expeditiously as possible," US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in a statement.

The allies have ramped up a diplomatic campaign to secure the international clearances needed for their civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, inked in 2005, which both sides say is key to broadening US-India relations.

Bush told Singh "he looks forward to continuing to work with his government to strengthen the United States India strategic...