'We were prepared to walk away from the nuclear agreement'

What role can the Indian American community play in helping to consummate this deal?

It's really a deal that needs to be consummated now by our government. We are the ones who negotiated it, so the executive branch will work with the legislative branch - obviously, it's going to be the legislative branch's authority that will determine this question. But we very much appreciate the interest of the Indian American community in the development of the strategic relationship between India and the United States.

 Would you suggest that they call their Congressmen, Senators…?

You know what. We are prohibited by law - it's very important that I say this - we are prohibited by law from asking any American to lobby Congress. So, I cannot do that and I will not do that. We have to abide by the laws. I want to maintain that separation and what I can do is answer your questions about what the US government thinks and what the US government can do. But I cannot give the public advise - it's not permissible in our society. But I will say that we respect the Indian-American community. It's a great community, it's been very successful and it's been a bridge between India and the United States in a variety of ways. We are great admirers of what the Indian-American community has been able to achieve 

Finally, from the President onwards, the Administration has made clear to Pakistan that there would be no similar deal for them. Does this clearly signal the demise of the zero-sum game strategy that used to govern US policy in South Asia for many years?

Secretary Rice said a year ago, when she visited Delhi and Islamabad that we had in essence de-hyphenated the India Pakistan relationship with the United States. The fact is that Pakistan is a singularly important country to us. It is a good partner. It is a good friend. We have an excellent relationship with President (Pervez) Musharraf. And so, this relationship should stand on its own.  The relationship with India is very different by definition and that relationship should be treated on its own. Let me say how hopeful we're that we are constructing a strategic partnership with India. This is one of the great and significant developments in American foreign policy today. It's a major step forward that both of our countries -- previously estranged in the international landscape - are now together.

It's a major development and we are very hopeful that with the two summit meetings over the last eight months, that we have a broad foundation in place on economic cooperation, on science and technology, on agriculture, on energy, on foreign policy cooperation, on military cooperation. We are closer today than at any time since 1947.  And, we consider India to be one of the most viable strategic allies anywhere in the world. So that's a big step forward. It's a major gain for the American people and the American government as well as Indians. And I hope that Indian Americans who read your newspaper will understand how important this is to our government and how much we want their support to build this relationship further.

Also See:

The Bush visit: Complete coverage | Chats | The nuclear deal