US 'determined' to conclude N-deal with India

Reaffirming its commitment to implement the civilian nuclear deal with India, the White House has said US President George W Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have talked about ways to 'conclude the deal.'

"He (Bush) did have a conversation the other day with Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh. And they talked about working for -- to conclude the deal. They are both in support of it," White House Spokesman Tony Snow said in a briefing, referring to a recent phone conversation between the Indian and US leaders.

"It is important for us. It is important for the government of India. And we are determined to make it happen."

Snow refused to get into details of the conversation, including whether there was an invitation to have the Indian prime minister over to Washington.

The spokesman also refused to comment on whether Bush had seen the letter written by US lawmakers to the Indian prime minister where they addressed concern over New Delhi's ties with Iran.

"I will not get into any sort of personal conversations of that nature," Snow said, adding that Bush may or may not have seen the letter.