Tuesday, April 4 2006 11:04 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: The US has dismissed as 'overplayed' reports that Indo-US civil nuclear deal was aimed at having India as a counterweight to China and said it was intensively lobbying to answer all questions of Congress on this 'major initiative' and ensure strong support for it.

Reports talking of the Administration wanting to have a democratic India as a counterweight to China "might have been overplayed a bit," Acting State Department Spokesman Adam Ereli said yesterday (Apr 03, 2006).

The pact was more than 'blocking' or being 'defensive' against other powers, he said. "It was really more: How can we move India in the right direction and bring India to integrate India more fully into the international energy realm as opposed to sort of geo-strategic maneuvering?"

Speaking ahead of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's appearance tomorrow before Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House International Relations Committee, Ereli said, "I think this intensive lobbying, this intensive programme of briefing and consultations, reflects first and foremost a recognition that Congress has an important and necessary role to play in this initiative."

"We want to ensure that all their questions are answered and that there's strong support for what President (George W Bush) sees as a major initiative that is both good for nonproliferation and good for the region, good for our partner and good for American commercial interests, as well."

He said Rice's testimony "Is but the latest in a fairly intensive effort to work with the members of the Hill, respond to their questions, answer their concerns and explain why this is a good deal that's in America's interests."