Congress hails civil energy pact with US

The Congress party on Sunday hailed the civil nuclear energy cooperation pact between India and the US as a diplomatic achievement.

The Congress party Sunday hailed the civil nuclear energy cooperation between India and the US as a significant diplomatic achievement.

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In its draft resolution on "external security and international affairs", the party said the agreement would be implemented in a spirit of transparency and reciprocity as stated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"The Congress appreciated the technological, energy and other imperatives that formed the backdrop to the Indo-US agreement of July 18, 2005," it said.

In an obvious reference to the criticism by Left parties, which have accused the Congress-led government of surrendering to US interests, the resolution said: "India believes that it has the self-confidence and ability to take advantage of emerging opportunities, exercising its own independent judgment."

The party endorsed the signing of the new framework for US-India defence relationship in June 2005.

"This is an enabling document which would promote exchanges in the defence field, based on the mutual interest and benefit," it said.

The resolution paid tributes to the contributions made by the Indian-American community in US to strengthen Indo-US relations and in changing the perception of India through their professional excellence and notable achievements.