I and Manmohan are 'friends', says Bush

The political turmoil back home notwithstanding, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sought to take forward the nuclear deal as he met with the US President George W. Bush and other world leaders on the sidelines of the G8 summit in this northern Japanese resort town.

The meeting with Bush came just hours before communist parties back home formally withdrew support to the UPA government. The leftists have argued that the nuclear deal could compromise the independence of India's foreign policy and make it vulnerable to US influence.

Bush, however, defended the deal saying it was important for both countries and that the US would continue to work with India to "develop not only a new strategic relationship, but a relationship that addresses some of the world's problem."

On his part, the Indian leader reiterated his commitment to further strengthen ties with the United States.

"It is the intention of my government -- I believe it is also the will of the Indian people," he said. "In this increasingly interdependent world we live in … India and the United States must stand tall, stand shoulder to shoulder, and that's what is going to happen."

The gestures said it all.

After their 50-minute meeting, they held a brief address to the media that was not planned. Posing before the camera, they smiled, shook hands and then Bush patted Singh on his back and whispered into his ears.

"Prime Minister Singh and I just had a typical conversation among friends. It was really a good meeting among two friends," Bush said during the briefing. "We did in a spirit of respect – and it was easy for me to do (that) because I respect Prime Minister Singh."

He said they talked about the nuclear deal and "how important that is" for both sides.

Progress on the deal, which was first propposed in 2005 and seeks to end a decades-old ban on India's access to the global market for nuclear fuel and technology, had been stalled because of opposition from the leftist allies. Now that they have pulled out the government would try to expedite the process.

Courtesy;hindustantimes.com
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