Expressing commitment to the Indo-US nuclear deal, the United States has said the historic agreement is an important part of the bilateral relationship and is beneficial to both countries.

"This agreement will bring India into the nuclear non-proliferation mainstream, providing access to technology which can help it reach its economic and environmental objectives. The US remains committed to this agreement," US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said, ahead of his visit to India this week.

Noting that the historic agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation is an important part of the US-India ties, he said, "India is one of the world's largest and most peaceful states with advanced nuclear technologies, and has been isolated from the rest of the world on nuclear issues."

"The US and India also share the challenge of ensuring secure and clean energy supplies. We understand that economic growth and environmental responsibility are necessary, compatible goals. Moving forward with the civilian nuclear agreement is one part of the solution. Working together on a post-2012 framework through the UN climate change process is another," he said at the Council on Foreign Relations.

"As with any democratic transformative effort, India faces political challenges -- something the United States also knows well. The government is to be applauded for what it has already accomplished, and encouraged to move forward. We stand with them as a partner as they do," he added.

On India and Pakistan, Paulson stressed that there had been a number of developments in many areas and that being an optimistic person he would rather see the glass half full than half-empty.

"India and Pakistan have a constructive dialogue and they are working together sharing information in the counter terrorism area and talking about difficult and sensitive issues like Kashmir is all to the positive," Paulson said.

"Our only position on this is that it is resolved in a constructive way taking into account the interests of the people of Kashmir," he said.