N-deal: Bush calls PM, pledges Washington's support

PLEDGING SUPPORT: George Bush's call comes a day ahead of India's crucial IAEA meet on Friday.

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New Delhi: Two days after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh won the Vote of Confidence in Parliament, one which was seen as a referendum on the Indo-US nuclear deal, US President George Bush called him on the phone on Thursday, pledging Washington's support.

In a statement issued shortly after the brief conversation between Bush and Singh, US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said, "The President said he looks forward to continuing to work with his government to strengthen the United States-India strategic relationship. Both leaders expressed their desire to see the US-India civil nuclear issue move forward as expeditiously as possible."

Bush's call comes a day ahead of a crucial IAEA meet on Friday, where India will brief 144 IAEA members in Vienna on the technical aspects of the draft safeguards text, and address concerns of those not convinced like Pakistan, which is now pushing for a nuclear deal for itself.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mehmood Khureshi said on Thursday, "We feel that an agreement should not be discriminatory in nature. Pakistan has energy requirements and Pakistan should have the same."

Pakistan had earlier sent letters to more than 60 countries including members of the IAEA and the NSG, warning them of an arms race in the subcontinent in case the Indo-US deal nuclear deal comes through.

Among other critics of the deal are China, Ireland and some Scandinavian countries.

But India is leaving no stone unturned. It has been dispatching its envoys to world capitals to muster support. The US too has been throwing its weight behind the deal, with the Bush administration going all out to ensure Congress clears the nuclear deal before Bush demits office.