India's ambassador to Washington says the future of relations between India and the United States is secure because they are based on shared values and common concerns.
Ronan Sen said the differences, if any, are not about goals but on the ways to achieve them. He used the example of Iran and Iraq, saying India agrees with the United States that Iraq should be a stable democracy and Iran should not manufacture a nuclear bomb. But India differs on how to achieve the two goals.
He said India's relations with Iran are historically close, but added Iran must fulfill its promises made by signing the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. He also said India does not want another of its neighbors to have a nuclear bomb - a reference to China and Pakistan already having a bomb.
Sen was speaking to reporters in Washington. President Bush will visit India early next month.