New Delhi: India and the US have reached an understanding on the implementation of the civil nuclear cooperation agreed last year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced on Thursday.
Addressing a joint press conference with US President George W Bush after their talks, Singh said the finalistion of identification of civilian facilities would begin.
Discussions would be held with the IAEA on the guidelines for brining the civilian nuclear reactors under its safeguards, he said.
The Prime Minister said the President has given an assurance that he would approach the US Congress for endorsing the deal.
Singh said the two countries have "arrived at a mutually satisfactory understanding with regard to carrying forward the process" that was reached on July 18 between him and President Bush.
He said an important step forward is the preparation of a plan that separates civilian from nuclear military facilities and "it has been sucessfully completed."
"Now it is for the US government to go to the Congress and make necessary amendments to the laws (for implementing the deal) and to approach the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) for working the deal," he said.
India would also work with IAEA to workout the India-specific safeguards for its civilian nuclear facilities, he said.
"We have made a very satisfactory progress and I thank President Bush without whose initiative it would not have been possible," the Prime Minister said.
Endorsing the Prime Minister's remark on the nuclear deal, Bush said that "necessary" had been reached and he would work with the US Congress in this regard.
Describing his discussion with Bush as "very cordial and productive", Singh said they reached a joint statement which underlines significant progress in the relationship between the two countries.
"Many of the areas now covers are central to India's national development. They include energy, agriculture, science and technology, trade, investment and high technology, health and environment", the Prime Minister said.
Singh also said a number of announcements and initiatives form part of the joint statement The Prime Minister said India and the US were working together increasingly on global issues which was not only good for the two countries but the entire world.
Observing that he along with Bush reviewed the global situation during the talks, Singh said both countries have agreed to root out terrorism of which India has been a major victim.
In his remarks, Bush referred to sharing of common values and said that the two sides would work to combat terrorism, bring about the rule of law and make the world a safer place to live.
Describing India as one of its largest trading partners, he emphasised on enhancing of trade between the two countries and recalled the growing military ties between them.
Bush also thanked the Prime Minister for the aid given to the US after the hurricane Katrina struck its coast.
The US President said the two countries stood for establishment of democracy worldwide.
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