President Bush had announced that the United States and India have agreed to expand technological cooperation and work to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
In a statement released late Monday (from the Summit of the Americas, in Mexico), Mr. Bush says New Delhi and Washington will expand cooperation in three specific areas -- civilian space programs, civilian nuclear activities and high-technology trade. He says the two countries have also agreed to expand dialogue on missile defense, as well as to strengthen relevant laws, regulations and procedures to help stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
Mr. Bush says the measures will help increase stability in Asia and beyond.
The president says India and the United States have significantly strengthened bilateral cooperation in several areas since November, 2001, when he and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee made a joint commitment to a strategic partnership.
The United States has welcomed recent steps taken by India and Pakistan to resolve difference between the nuclear-armed neighbors, especially over the disputed Kashmir region. The U.S. government has sought closer ties with both countries since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.