The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Washington

US President George W. Bush telephoned Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday to discuss joint efforts to forge ahead on their countries' controversial nuclear deal, the White House said.

"Both leaders expressed their desire to see the US-India civil nuclear issue move forward as expeditiously as possible," US National Security Council spokes-man Gordon Johndroe said in a statement.

The allies have ramped up a diplomatic campaign to secure the international clearances needed for their civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, inked in 2005, which both sides say is key to broadening US-India relations.

Bush told Singh "he looks forward to continuing to work with his government to strengthen the United States India strategic relationship," Johndroe said, adding that they had also discussed stalled World Trade Organizations talks.