Democrats to pursue nuclear deal if elected: US expert

The Democrats will continue efforts to conclude the India-United States civil nuclear deal if they are voted to power, a top aide of former US president Bill Clinton said in New Delhi on Thursday.

"The Democrats will continue efforts to operationalise the Indo-US nuclear deal after coming to power and will work together for the cause of much warranted global disarmament," said James Steinberg, deputy national security adviser to Clinton.

On the growing number of powers at the global platform and India's acceptance there, he said the democratic structure and open economic policies of the world's largest democracy have made its rise more acceptable to Americans.

On the emergence of China as a global power, he said, "India and the US should try and draw up a blueprint to engage China rather than try to contain it."

He also stressed on the need to strengthen ties with traditional partners like Japan and Australia. The US foreign policy expert also said the future relationship between Washington and New Delhi will depend on the inclusion of India in major policy decisions for south Asia and other international issues.