Nuclear energy tops Manmohan's US trip agenda

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's three-day state visit starting July 18 is being seen by New Delhi as a touchstone of President Bush's intention to take the relationship between the world's two largest democracies to new heights.

Singh will hold talks on issues ranging from defence to trade, aviation to agriculture. But the success of his visit may be measured by whether the Bush administration agrees to help boost India's civilian nuclear energy program and back its candidature for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

"What this visit would be doing is reaffirming at the highest level the transformation that is taking place in India-US relations," Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said. "What we are really looking at is a genuine partnership between India and the US"

Relations between India and the United States have come a long way from the days of the Cold War when the two countries were on opposite sides.

India's economic reform program, its huge market, a booming information technology industry, its military might and potential as a counterweight to China have all combined to bring New Delhi closer to Washington.

Today, the two capitals are talking about India buying US F-16 fighter jets and nuclear reactors -- a far cry from the days when Washington imposed sanctions on New Delhi after it conducted nuclear tests in 1998.

India, which has refused to sign most global non-proliferation regimes saying they are discriminatory, has been looking to develop its civilian nuclear industry with Russian and US help.