India-US ties will continue to grow: US official

WASHINGTON: Denying that there is any pause in bilateral ties, a top Obama Administration official has said the relationship between India and the US would continue to grow, refuting reports that the civil-nuke agreement between the two countries is in limbo.

"I don't think we have a pause at all. I think that we're continuing to move forward over the next six months," Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal told reporters at a news conference.

"I know we have energy dialogue slated for early next year. So like I said, I don't think that there's any pause. I think everything is moving forward apace," she said in response to a question.

"I think that the relationship will continue to strengthen and deepen and grow. I think that increasingly, it's not just a bilateral relationship but it is a regional and global relationship," Biswal said.

US President Barack Obama, she said, most aptly characterized this as a partnership and relationship that is one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.

"That's because it's a partnership based on shared values, shared approaches. We believe that India provides an incredible example of democratic development, and we want to support that example as one that -more countries ought to follow," Biswal said.

Responding to questions, Biswal said the civil-nuke agreement between the United States and India has been a tremendous and powerful symbol of the relationship. But she refuted reports that this is in limbo.

"I think we are making progress. Is it as fast and as full as we would like it? No. I think that there are definitely steps that we think would help move things along. But I think that the small contract agreement that was announced during Prime Minister Singh's visit was an important step in the right direction," she said.

"I am hopeful that that will continue to pave the way for greater steps. I think that India has to take its own steps to see what can be done with respect to its liability laws and with respect to the concerns that the private sector has with respect to liability," Biswal said.