New York: Describing India as a "growing power", President George W Bush's Republican Party today (Aug 31, 2004) said Indo-US ties have undergone "historical transformation" under his leadership.

In a 93-page manifesto released on the opening day of the Republican Convention in New York, the party hailed Bush's war on terrorism and vowed to continue his efforts to realign global priorities and push for democracy around the world.

With regard to India it said, "The United States has undertaken a historic transformation in its bilateral relationship with India... India (is) a growing power with which we have common security interests and a shared fundamental commitment to political freedom and representative Government."

The party praised its leader for "dramatically refashioning" US' relationship with Pakistan while waging a war against terrorism, an issue which is dominating Bush's re-election campaign.

"Three years ago, Pakistan was one of the few countries in the world that recognised the Taliban regime, now Pakistani forces are rounding up terrorists along their nation's Western border. Today, because we are working with Pakistani leaders, Pakistan is an ally in the war on terror, and the American people are safer."

The party described Taliban as "one of the most backward and brutal regimes of modern history" and said that Afghanistan was now "a world away from the nightmare" of their rule.