Don't delay N-deal: Cheney to US

Washington: US Vice-President Dick Cheney has strongly urged the US Congress to move quickly to enact legislation on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal without delaying it any further with amendments or changes.

Describing the nuclear deal as one of the most important strategic foreign policy initiatives of the US government, Cheney said, "Given this agreement's importance, we must be sure that amendments or delays on the US side do not risk wasting this critical opportunity."

In a speech before the US-India Business Council (USIBC) on its 31st Anniversary Leadership Summit on Thursday, Cheney said, "President George Bush and I are confident that this agreement will receive the strong bipartisan support it deserves."

Cheney also touched on the entire gamut of India-US relations during his speech.

He urged the Indian-American Caucus in the US Senate and the House to use their leadership role to help usher through a critical agreement that benefits both the US and 'friends in India'.

He said the Senate Caucus - led by Republican Senator John Cornyn and Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton - and the House Caucus - led by Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Democratic Representative Gary Ackerman - should work together to ensure that the agreement gets Congressional approval as the deal is of great strategic importance to both our countries.

Referring to President Bush's visit to India, Cheney said it was immensely productive and historic, and it underscored a basic fact of our world.

"In this new century, America's relationship with India is better than ever before. That relationship is also vital for reasons of economic progress, national security and global stability," he said.

The audience included several leaders of Indian and American companies, including Thomas Pickering, Ratan Tata, former US secretary of commerce Robert A Mosbacher, Rajat Gupta of McKinsey Company, Ambassadors Frank Wisner, Robert Blackwill and Biocon chairman Kiran Mazumdar Shaw.

Saying that there is a new strategic partnership between our countries," Cheney stressed the need for both the countries to move ahead with an agenda that is ambitious and forward-looking to fight terror, advance democracy, expand free and fair trade, and provide for our common energy needs.

"Together, the US and India are determined to confront and defeat the global terror network, which has harmed people in so many parts of the world," he said.

"The United States experienced multiple terrorist attacks during the '80s and '90s, culminating in 9/11. Similarly, India has suffered through acts of terror, including the attack on its parliament in 2001; the October, 2005, bombing in New Delhi that targeted innocent civilians preparing for holiday celebrations; and the bombings earlier this year in Varanasi," he added.

"As victims of terror, both our countries accept a duty to join in the fight against these enemies. American and Indian forces have worked closely in many different ways, including sophisticated joint operations with our armed forces."

"These coordinated efforts are useful not just in confronting danger, but in bringing relief to disaster victims, as we did following the Asian tsunami. We have also had great cooperation in law enforcement and intelligence operations.

And the United States is proud to stand with such a strong partner," he said.

Earlier Cheney was presented with the USIBC's Distinguished Service Award for Exemplary Leadership in uniting United States and India.