Saturday, June 17 2006 12:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: US Ambassador to India David Mulford has brushed aside any doubts on the future of the India-US civilian nuclear deal, saying his country Is working on making some changes in law to implement it.

"There is no need for suspicion regarding the agreement. It remains the same agreed in July 2005 in Washington and concluded formally when President (George W.) Bush visited India in March 2006," Mulford said on a webchat with some reporters in Kolkata Friday night.

"We are now engaged in negotiating certain detailed aspects of the bilateral agreement necessary to implement the deal and to seek the necessary change in law in the US Congress," he said.

"No goalposts are being moved, no bars are being raised. It is just plain steady work to get the job done," he clarified, asking all for patience.

Mulford said the US is looking forward to increased cooperation with India in defence, aeronautics and space.

"Many of the complex problems left over from the period of sanctions have been resolved and with the type of relationship our two countries are now developing, we should be confident of expanding significantly cooperation in these fields," he said.

"Cooperation is already growing and with it confidence is building on both sides which will stand us well into the future," he said, emphasising the departing speech of Bush in March when the US president said, "India is a global leader, as well as a good friend".

Mulford said India is an attractive investment destination like China because it has a strong economy, a large, articulate and well-educated population and democracy.

"It (India) believes in rule of law and it has a sophisticated and well-supervised financial system. It is also a market with a relatively youthful population. These are a few of the attractions and, in some cases, advantages India has over China," he said.

To a question whether the US would support India for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council, Mulford avoided a direct answer, saying the first priority of the US in the UN was to reform the body to make it a more effective organisation.

"Unless this is done there is little point in focusing on expanding the Security Council. Once reform is achieved, hopefully with the support of a large number of countries around the world, including India, it will be appropriate to look at the question of expanding the Security Council," he said.

Asked about his view on Shashi Tharoor as a candidate for the post of UN secretary general, Mulford said, "This is a decision which India is to make, and we respect that decision."

Mulford also made the US stand on Pakistan clear, saying, "We support democracy in Pakistan and have made clear our interest in seeing Pakistan move towards democratisation".

"Pakistan has been an important country for the US in its efforts in Afghanistan and against global terrorism. We will continue to work closely," he said.