b>New Delhi: India and the US have agreed on the framework of the landmark nuclear deal reached in July last year between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President George W Bush.
"India and the US have reached an understanding on the implementation of the civil nuclear cooperation agreed last year," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Thursday addressing a press conference at the Hyderabad House.
"The deal is done. The details are being worked out and the exact language and formulation (of the deal) will be in the joint statement," National Security Advisor MK Narayanan said after the talks between the two leaders.
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.
However, neither the two leaders nor the Joint Statement gave details of the separation plan or about the fast breeder reactors on whose inspection concerns have been expressed in India.
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 successfully 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.
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"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 agreement 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.
Singh said the joint statement to be issued by both the sides contains a number of announcements and initiatives in areas like energy, agriculture, science and technology, trade and investment, hi-technology, health and clean environment.
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"This is a highly ambitious agenda, one that is befitting our growing strategic partnership. When implemented they will make a real difference to the lives of our people," he told reporters.
He said both the sides reviewed the global situation during the talks. "Our discussion today make me confident that there is no limit to the Indo-US partnerships," he added.
Bush said both the sides had a "lengthy and constructive dialogue on a wide-range of issues."
"India and America have built a strategic partnership based upon common values, our two democracies respect religious pluralism and the rule of law. We seek to foster economic development through trade and advancing the entrepreneurial spirit in both countries," he said.
He said India and America have faced terrorist attacks on their soil. "We are sharing information to protect each other. We have a common desire to enhance the security of our peoples. We are cooperating on the military front," he added.
Earlier,US President George W Bush was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday morning.
President APJ Abdul Kalam warmly welcomed Bush at the forecourt of the historic Rashtrapati Bhawan. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Cabinet colleagues were also present.
The US President took salute from the inter-services Guard of Honour with anthems of India and America being played in the background.
"I must say that I have been received in many capitals of the world. I have never seen a reception as well organised and as grand as the reception we just received. Coming up to this majestic building was breathtaking and the horses that led us in added great elegance to the welcoming ceremony," he said.
While emphasising "Indo-US relations are very important", the US President added that he was here to ensure that the Indo-US relations reach a new high.
When asked how confident he was about clinching a nuclear deal, he merely said "we have a press conference later on."
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Shortly after US President George Bush touched base in New Delhi on Wednesday evening, top Indian and American officials got into a huddle to iron out any remaining differences in the crucial civilian nuclear deal.
US National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley and Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns held talks with their counterparts M K Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran.
Hadley brushed aside criticism that the civilian nuclear arrangement with India has been so designed as to go around the Non-Proliferation Treaty and frameworks as some critics have argued.
"Just the opposite. This is actually a way to bring India within the Non-Proliferation framework. It will be adopting the kind of Non-Proliferation protections that we do. It's to bring India on the same page as we, so they can be a global partner, if you will, in the proliferation issue, as well," he said.
Prior to the meeting, Narayanan and Saran had met for about an hour.
Officials of the two countries met at about 2145 hrs (IST) and the meeting continued late into the night, sources said.
They reportedly discussed follow-up agreement on the deal reached during Prime Minister's visit to Washington in July 2005.
In fact, the officials were in touch even prior to the American entourage's arrival. The American officials, too, reportedly interacted with their Indian counterparts from on-board the Air Force One.
As interlocuters from both sides made last-minute efforts to seal the pact, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister and discussed the broad parameters of the deal.
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When President Bush arrived at Delhi's Palam Airport, he was seen having an animated discussion with Dr Singh, who broke protocol to receive him personally.
Bush touched down in New Delhi on Wednesday evening along with First Lady Laura Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and a strong American delegation on a three-day visit to India, his first.
Wearing a dark blue suit and pink shirt, Bush and his wife Laura stepped down the ladder to be received by Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur as American sharp-shooters kept vigil.
A smiling, waving Bush put his arm around the Prime Minister's back as they an animated conversation lasting a few minutes on the tarmac.
Thereafter they posed for photographs but Bush made no arrival statement.
On Thursday the President will be formally welcomed at Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by wreath laying at Raj Ghat and talks in Hyderabad House.
Hours before Bush's arrival, US secret service agents assisted by sleuths from the Intelligence Bureau and Delhi Police threw one of the tightest security cordons around the venues he is likely to visit in Delhi.
(With PTI Inputs)
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