WASHINGTON, SEPT 16: After US Republican presidential candidate George Bush, his rival Democratic Party nominee and Vice President Al Gore has assured India of continued support and a lasting friendship.At a luncheon he hosted in honour of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee here yesterday, Gore said the US shared India's concerns on terrorism, which undermines democracy, and on the proliferation of nuclear technologies.Describing Vajpayee a "rare to find" leader who combines the qualities of idealism and pragmatism, confidence and humility, Gore spoke about how the Indian leader combined the attributes of a poet and politician to inspire the people and lead them towards progress."As a poet, you have inspired the imagination of your people. As Prime Minister, you have challenged your people to act on their imagination to create a shared vision for a united, democratic, prosperous and peaceful India and make their vision a reality," he said.Gore said he was confident that India was destined for "great heights. One of the world's great civilisation, India has emerged, of course, as one of the great democracies."Meanwhile, a joint statement, issued yesterday at the end of talks between Prime Minister Vajpayee and US President Bill Clinton, said the two countries will forge new ties to make capital market more "efficient and transparent" to facilitate flow of foreign investment.Coming close on the heels of Indo-US decision to pump in seven billion dollars in power sector in India, the two countries have agreed to establish a working group on energy to hasten reforms in the field.A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed between the US Department of Energy and Indian Ministry of Power provides for setting up the group for exchange of information and consultation on energy issues, including technology upgradation.Denouncing continuing violence and bloodshed, the US has backed India's stand on Kashmir, voicing concern over connections between "elements" in Pakistan and the situation in the state.The American rejection of violence as a basis for solution of the problems in South Asian region came in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the Prime Minister's talks with President Bill Clinton yesterday, in what the Indian side described as highly successful discussions marked by "extraordinary cordiality, warmth and great condour."
