Once the news was out that the deal was sealed, things became clear.
Experts realised that long before the prime minister's visit to the US, Bush and his Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had been making all the right noises.
Talking about the need for cooperation between India and Pakistan, Dr Rice had, before Dr Singh's visit, hinted that the US might lift the ban on nuclear cooperation.
It was then that the world realised that there was hectic activity going on behind the scenes.
Condi Rice was one of the most vociferous supporters of the deal. She also kept herself in the loop at every stage that the deal had to pass.
She went out of her way to impress upon various think tanks, US Senators and Congressmen that the deal was in America's best interests. She was in constant touch with the non-proliferation lobby and convinced them that once the technology went to India, it would stay with India. New Delhi would not transfer nuclear technology to hostile nations like Iran or North Korea.
Image: US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice backed President Bush all the way on the nuclear deal
Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Complete coverage: President Bush in India
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