Obama administration is fully committed to implementing nuclear deal:
Hillary Clinton

"This landmark accord (The Indo-US nuclear deal), which the Obama administration is fully committed to implementing, provides a framework for economic and technical cooperation, between our two countries, and allows us to move beyond our concerns about the status of India's nuclear program, an issue that dominated our relationship for much of the last decade," Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, emphasized on June 17th, 2009 while delivering the keynote address to the US-India Business Council's 34th anniversary summit. The Indo-US nuclear deal allows the United States to move beyond concerns about the status of India's nuclear program, an issue that dominated the relationship between the two countries for much of the last decade, she said. Terming the nuclear deal as a "landmark agreement" for both the countries, she said the Obama administration is fully committed to implement the civil nuclear pact. The agreement carries a strong bipartisan support in both India and the US, Clinton said addressing a meeting of Indian and US corporate leaders at the Synergies Summit of the US India Business Council.

"This second stage in our history continued through the last US and Indian administrations and culminated in completion of the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement, this past October, under the Bush administration." The nuclear deal, which was completed through the efforts of former US President Bush, removed the final barrier to broader cooperation between the two countries, she added. "That brings us to today…After the Cold War ended, President (Bill) Clinton opened a new chapter of engagement with India."

"Talks between former Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott and his Indian counterpart helped to establish a new foundation for our relationship. And of course, my husband and daughter had an extraordinary visit toward the end of his term in office."

Terming the Indo-US nuclear deal as the second era, Clinton said the Obama administration is determined to take it to the third stage. Senior Administration officials in India are said to believe that Clinton's statement where she clearly articulated the Obama Administration’s unequivocal and unambiguous intent to "upgrade" its relations with India, should ease New Delhi's concerns about the Obama Administration's commitment to a strategic partnership with India that was pursued with such vigor by the erstwhile Bush Administration.

Clinton, at the outset of her remarks said, "We are clearly committed to furthering and deepening our relationship with India in every way possible." Saying, "I will be visiting India next month, which I am looking forward to," and that "it is exciting for me to have an opportunity to return again, and it is also a great privilege and honor to be doing so representing the United States," she declared, "I tell you this, because I want you to place me and where I stand as Secretary of State. It is in a position of deep commitment to building stronger ties with India, a commitment based on mutual respect and mutual interests. And I know that President Obama feels the same way. We see India as one of a few key partners worldwide who will help us shape the 21st century."

Clinton hoped "that an expanded partnership between the US and India will be one of the signature accomplishments of both new governments in both countries, and I do plan to make that a personal priority. To achieve the goal of stronger ties between our countries, we will have to confront and transcend the mistrust that has hampered our cooperation in the past, and address the lingering uncertainties in our relationship still today."

She assured, "President Obama has been clear that the United States has learned the lessons of the past. We will not use the global financial crisis as an excuse to fall back on protectionism. We hope India will work with us to create a more open, equitable set of opportunities for trade between our nations."

Clinton went on to state, "We have a common interest in creating a stable, peaceful Afghanistan, where India is already providing $1.2 billion in assistance to facilitate reconstruction efforts. The United States is committed to the task ahead in Afghanistan, and I hope India will continue its efforts there as well. And of course, we believe that India and Pakistan actually face a number of common challenges, and we welcome a dialogue between them."