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India, US to boost strategic ties

April 15, 2005 19:46 IST

India and United States have decided to accelerate the process of the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership envisaging cooperation in civilian space and nuclear technology, high-tech trade and missile defence.

The two countries also said they were hoping to take the partnership to "...wider horizons."

The NSSP, initiated by the two countries last year, "has been a useful and productive engagement but we are now looking at even wider horizons," External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh said along with his US counterpart Condoleezza Rice after their talks in Washington on Thursday night.

On the Indo-US cooperation on space, Singh, who earlier met President George W Bush, said it highlights the technology bond that is a special characteristic of bilateral ties.

"Our goal is to promote synergies in all aspects of space collaboration, including satellite fabrication and launch," he said, adding that the NSSP process will be accelerated.

Referring to his meeting with Bush at the White House, he said, "We deeply appreciate his commitment to developing Indo-US relations and are confident that in his second term this relationship will reach newer heights."

"We welcome the interest the president expressed in working with India on the range of global issues." 

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