N-deal with India to boost US security: Senator

WASHINGTON: The US concluded the landmark civil nuclear deal with India on the premise that a strong and enduring partnership with New Delhi would enhance America's national security and economy, a top Senator said on Tuesday.

"With this pact, our country embraced a policy based on the premise that the national security and economic future of the United States would be enhanced by a strong and enduring partnership with India," said Lugar, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at a Congressional hearing for Tim Roemer, the US Ambassador nominee for India.

However, the implementation of this historic deal would depend much on the next US Ambassador to India, he said.

"Although the agreement has been concluded, its success will depend greatly on the diplomatic work overseen by our next ambassador," the top lawmaker said, adding "Roemer's national security experience will be put to excellent use as Ambassador to India."

In 2008, the United States and India concluded the landmark US-India Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, he said, adding that it was one of the most important strategic diplomatic initiatives undertaken by the United States in the last decade.