July 21st, 2009 - 12:25 am
New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) India Monday approved two sites for the US nuclear reactors as the two countries launched the much-discussed third phase of their strategic partnership
as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concluded her five-day India visit.
The two countries also signed two critical pacts on easing high-end defence sales and the launch of civilian satellites. Both countries agreed to an expanded strategic dialogue, to be chaired by their foreign ministers, who will meet once annually in alternate capitals.
After holding talks with External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna for nearly an hour, Clinton announced that an expanded strategic dialogue will be a signature accomplishment of their governments in the days to come.
The talks dwelled on bilateral ties and regional and global issues, including counter-terror cooperation, civil nuclear cooperation, climate change, non-proliferation, the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan and the Iranian nuclear issue.
Clinton also announced the invitation by US President Barack Obama to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit him in the White House Nov 24 - the first state visit by the Indian leader under the new administration in Washington.
Recognising the new heights achieved in the India-US relationship over the last two Indian and US administrations, they committed to pursuing a third and transformative phase of the relationship that will enhance global prosperity and stability in the 21st century, a joint statement at the end of the talks said.
Stressing on the US commitment to completing the remaining steps of the India-US nuclear deal, that includes a critical agreement on reprocessing, Clinton said Manmohan Singh, with whom she held talks in the afternoon, told her that two sites have been approved by the government for US nuclear reactors.
Clinton said that she affirmed the Obama administrations strong commitment to completing all the remaining elements of our civil nuclear deal.
We have just completed a civil nuclear deal. If it is done through proper channels and safeguarded, then it is appropriate, she asserted.
Clinton also said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had told her that sites for two nuclear parks by American companies have been approved by the government.
These parks will advance the aims of the US India civil nuclear agreement facilitating billions of dollars in US reactor exports and create jobs in both countries, as well as generate much needed energy for the Indian people, she said.
The US nuclear reactors will create jobs for Americans and provide energy security for India, Clinton said. She also urged New Delhi to approve a civil liability legislation that will exempt foreign nuclear companies from huge compensation in case of a nuclear accident.
Clinton dispelled apprehensions in India about a weakening of commitment on part of the Obama administration about India-US ties after signing of the landmark nuclear deal last year.
I can pledge more than that. We have demonstrated very clearly the significance of our relations with India, Clinton replied when asked whether the US was focusing more on relations with China and Pakistan and ignoring India in the process.
As partners on the world stage, there is a significant expansion of bilateral relationship, Clinton said at a joint press conference with Krishna.
Clinton also ends her five-day visit to India with a crucial end-user verification agreement in her bag that is potentially worth billions of dollars in business for US defence companies.
The two countries signed a pact on civilian space launches that promises to bring more business for the Indian Space Research Organisation.
The pact will permit the launch of civil or non-commercial satellites containing US components on Indian space launch vehicles.
An agreement on creating a $30 million Science and Technology Endowment fund was also inked by Clinton and Krishna.
The defence pact, which was dogged by quibbling till the very last minute, was easily the show stealer. The end-user agreement, mandatory under a US law to sell sophisticated arms to other countries, will remove a major obstacle in accelerating defence ties between India and the US.
The pact will set the pitch for US firms to bid for Indias tender for purchasing 126 multi-role fighters that is estimated to be worth $10.4 billion.
Major US defence companies like Lockheed Martin Corp and Boeing Co. are eying a pie of Indias lucrative defence market.
In her five-day high-visibility India visit that was virtually tracked 24X7 by TV and new media like Twitter, Clinton unleashed her charm offensive and focused on expanding civil society partnership in her first trip to India after becoming the Obama administrations chief diplomat.
The relations between India and the US is a good news story, is getting better, Clinton said.
In Mumbai, Clinton stayed at the landmark Taj hotel that was attacked by the terrorists, saying she wished to send a message of solidarity and a rebuke to terrorists who could not destroy the spirit of the people of Mumbai.
After a weekend spent in media spotlight in Mumbai, Clinton began her Delhi visit with two events - a conference on climate change in Gurgaon, followed by a trip to the National Agricultural Science Centre - highlighting on the important areas of the new phase of the India-US partnership.
WatctOut watchOut!!! just hold on.. just hold on... u will see after everything finalize.. thn US game start (using India against pakistan or any othercountry for thr own Targets). Right now indians are very happy for STATE - OF - ART weapon... just wait for few years. We are also waiting for H18 or F16IN MMRCA Deal... u will see wat will US do with u after everything finalize lol 
