Indo-US nuclear deal is in US interest: Bush

US President George W Bush has said that it was in America's interest to work out the civilian nuclear deal with India.

US President George W Bush has said that it was in America's interest to work out the civilian nuclear deal with India and develop the "important relationship" with New Delhi by setting aside cold-war era tensions.

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Bush also said that it was a "positive development" for India that Washington was a friend of Islamabad and likewise for Pakistan that America was a friend of India.

Speaking about the Indo-US nuclear deal, Bush said it was a "controversial decision" as it "basically flies in the face of Cold War attitudes, as well as arms control thinking", but emphasised the move would help reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.

"We live in a global economy, there is a demand for fossil fuels -- an increase in the demand for fossil fuels in one part of the world affects the price of gasoline in our world. We're connected. Whether people like it or not, there is an interconnectedness today that affects our economy.

"Somebody's decision overseas affects whether or not people are going to be able to work here in America. So I think it makes sense for the United States, as we ourselves become less addicted to oil and fossil fuels, which I'm serious about, encourage others to do so, as well", Bush told reporters in Cleveland on Monday.

Bush said the use of safe nuclear power should be encouraged. "It's in our interests, our economic interests that we work an agreement with India to encourage their expansion of civilian nuclear power", he added.