Headlines
India, US achieve breakthrough in civil n-deal
New Delhi, Jan 25
In a "breakthrough", India
and the US Sunday agreed to move towards "commercial cooperation" as
well as "full implementation" of their landmark civil nuclear deal.
The
announcement was made by US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, brightening the prospects of the deal that was inked
during the Manmohan Singh regime in 2008 but never implemented.
"The
civil nuclear agreement was the centrepiece of our transformed
relationship, which demonstrated new trust. It also created new economic
opportunities and expanded our option for clean energy," Modi said
addressing a joint press conference with Obama here.
"...I am
pleased that six years after we signed our bilateral agreement, we are
moving towards commercial cooperation, consistent with our law, our
international legal obligations, and technical and commercial
viability."
Describing it as a "breakthrough understanding",
Obama said the two leaders agreed to "advance our civil nuclear
cooperation and we are committed to moving toward full implementation".
"It is an important step and shows us how we can work together to elevate our relationship."
Modi
and Obama met at Hyderabad House for a marathon four-hour-long session
of summit-level talks, their second in the last four months after the
one during the prime minister's maiden visit to the US in September
2014.
Obama, accompanied by his wife Michelle, is here to attend the 66th Republic Day parade as chief guest.