NEW DELHI: The Democrats will continue efforts to conclude the Indo-US nuclear deal if they are voted to power, a top aide of former US President Bill Clinton said here 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 (1996-02).
Steinberg was speaking at a session on `Strategic Choices for the United States in the 2008 Election and Their Implication for US-India Relations,' organised by The Aspen Institute India.
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 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.
However, the former adviser was not in favour of the US playing a major role in the resolution of the Kashmir issue.
The US presidential election is scheduled for November four next year.
Considering the wider implications, the change of guard at the White House thereafter and its impact on India, Steinberg said, "it is important to have a sustained dialogue process to build trust and confidence as part of stronger Indo-US relation."
He further added that next Presidential election would be important as foreign policy and national security are major issues during the campaigning.
He, however, pointed out that issues related to the Middle-East will feature more prominently in the 2008 US elections, besides stressing on the need to resolve the Iran issue through negotiations and peaceful resolution.
