N-deal will deepen the strategic relationship: Rice

8220;I am writing to express my strong support for the 8216;United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act8217;,8221; Rice said in the letter that comes just hours after President George W Bush said his administration is 8220;working hard8221; to get deal passed 8220;as quickly as possible8221;.

The agreement marks the culmination of a decade-long process of India8217;s emergence on the international stage and the Indian government8217;s 8220;effort to steer a more pragmatic and realistic course in foreign affairs,8221; Rice wrote to Pelosi, who is a key player in getting the deal through.

8220;For the United States, passage of this legislation will clear the way to deepen the strategic relationship with India,8221; Rice said in the letter dated September 26.

She also maintained that the agreement will open significant opportunities for American firms, help meet India8217;s surging energy requirements in an environment-friendly manner, and bring India into the 8220;global nuclear non-proliferation mainstream8221;.