India PM begins landmark US visit
BBC | July 18, 2005
 

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is due to hold talks with US President George W Bush on the opening day of a landmark visit to the country. The two leaders are expected to focus on terrorism, trade, investment and collaboration on technology.

Mr Singh will also address a joint session of US Congress on Tuesday.

However, there are no signs that Washington is prepared to support a campaign to include India in a reformed United Nations Security Council.

During the talks India is hoping to strike a deal on ways to share nuclear technology, which correspondents say Washington has been reluctant to agree because of India's refusal to join international nuclear non-proliferation treaties.

But there are indications that Mr Bush will invite India to join in some international nuclear research projects.

"In my meetings with President Bush, I look forward to a comprehensive review of our bilateral relations. The United States is our largest trading partner," Mr Singh said before flying out of India.

"Accelerated economic cooperation, relating to trade investment and technology collaboration is a primary objective. We hope to enhance the content of our interactions in the field of space and civilian nuclear energy cooperation," he said.

'Historic'

Analysts say Mr Singh's three day-visit to the US is expected to lead to a deeper and broader strategic partnership between the two countries.

Indian newspapers are calling Mr Singh's visit "historic" - and "waiting for some history to be made".

"The two countries have certainly come a long way. But they are yet to reach that elusive political destination that allows them to cooperate on nuclear energy and non-proliferation, think together about the future stability of Pakistan and Afghanistan and construct a new balance of power in Asia and the world," The Indian Express newspaper said.

"If Singh and Bush decide tomorrow to travel down that road together, the meeting might well merit the label, 'historic."

The two men are also likely to discuss a pipeline project taking gas from Iran to India via Pakistan.

The US has raised objections to the project because of its opposition to the current government in Tehran.

During his three-day stay, Mr Singh is also due to meet senior members of Mr Bush's cabinet, including vice- president Dick Cheney as well as leading figures from the Indian-American community.