New Delhi: Wrapping up the Indo-US civil
nuclear deal, which has strengthened trust between the two
countries, in the near future is an important priority for US,
new Ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer today said.
"...we have 3 or 4 issues to complete, to wrap the nuke
deal that will bring jobs in the US and India and completing
that hopefully in months ahead is a very very important
priority of the United States...," the Ambassador said here at
a CII function.
Roemer said President Barack Obama has put his priority
on relationship with India, as for America there is "strategic
interest to cooperate more and more and engage in trade".
He said signing of the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement
has brought a new confidence in the bilateral relations.
One of the issues under negotiations to complete the
agreement includes setting up of dedicated reprocessing
facilities for the spent fuel in India.
The two countries signed the historic agreement in
October 2008 ending India`s isolation in global nuclear trade.
Roemer, former Congressman for six terms, said though
trade (about USD 45 billion) between India and the US have
doubled in the last five years, "we can do better".
The new Ambassador said that the bilateral investment
protection treaty would "hopefully" be signed soon.
The two sides are trying to resolve differences on the
level of protection sought by the US on investment to Indian
in the treaty.
While India is willing to give `post-stage` protection on
private investment, the US wants `pre-stage` benefit.
Roemer said that though there are some obstacles in the
signing of the agreement, it would provide huge opportunities
for the investors of both the countries in the sectors like
infrastructure and energy.
"...there are some obstacles. (After the conclusion of
the agreement) you will have the opportunity for host of
investments in infrastructure, energy...across the board it
will open opportunities," he said.
Bureau Report
