In what is regarded as a major shift in policy, President George W Bush has promised full US cooperation with India in developing its civilian programme for nuclear power.
President Bush was speaking after talks at the White House with the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.
In 1998 Washington condemned India for testing nuclear weapons.
But President Bush said there was now real cooperation between the two countries on this and other issues.
'We announce the completion of the next steps in strategic partnership. Completing this partnership will help us further enhance our cooperation in the areas of civil nuclear, civil space and high-technology commerce,' President Bush said at a joint press conference with the Indian PM.
