India, US agree on agenda for cooperation

NEW DELHI – India and the United States agreed yesterday on a sweeping agenda for economic and scientific cooperation, one day after the two countries set a three-year target to double their trade.

A joint commission on science and technology, more cooperation in cyber-security and collaboration in agricultural research and the development of low-cost drugs to fight AIDS and bird flu were among the agreements reached during talks between US President George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a joint statement said.Capping all the issues was a deal on civilian nuclear energy that will allow the US government and private companies to supply nuclear technologies and fuel to India, where demand for energy is soaring.The US is India’s largest trading partner and accounts for 16 per cent of India’s exports and six per cent of its imports, but India accounts for just one per cent of US trade.-Nampa-APBush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a joint statement said.Capping all the issues was a deal on civilian nuclear energy that will allow the US government and private companies to supply nuclear technologies and fuel to India, where demand for energy is soaring.The US is India’s largest trading partner and accounts for 16 per cent of India’s exports and six per cent of its imports, but India accounts for just one per cent of US trade.-Nampa-AP