The United States has said that it is quite possible that the civilian nuclear energy agreement with India could be worked out during President George W Bush's [Images] visit beginning on Wednesday.

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"There has been some progress that has been made in those negotiations. Whether or not it gets done during the trip - before the trip or during the trip, we will have to see.  But we believe it will get done. It is an important agreement. But these are complex issues that we are dealing with here, and they have been ongoing for some time, these negotiations. And we will see where they lead," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters on Monday.

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McClellan said the relationship between India and United States is much broader than the civilian nuclear deal.

"I am not going to try to negotiate from this podium. Our relationship with India is much broader than the civilian nuclear program that we are talking about," he said.

"And we have worked to strengthen that relationship. India is a strategic partner, and we work together on a number of issues across the board, whether it is the war on terrorism or expanding economic opportunity and prosperity, or other issues," the spokesman added.

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The White House has reiterated that the Kashmir issue is something to be sorted out between India and Pakistan.

"That has been our view that the dialogue ought to be occurring between India and Pakistan. There has been some improvement in that dialogue, and we want a solution that represents the interests of all sides," he said.

Coverage: President Bush in India