Washington: Hailing the tenure extension of Ronen Sen, India's Ambassador to the US, as an indication of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh s "commitment" to the nuclear deal, a prominent Indian American community leader has said the envoy's presence will be "vital" during the completion phase of the 123 agreement.

"The extension for Ambassador Sen shows Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's commitment to the US-India civil nuclear deal. Ambassador Sen s presence during completion phase of this agreement will provide vital support to the government of India," Chairman of the Dallas-based US-India Forum, Ashok Mago said in a statement.

"We are delighted that ambassador Sen has agreed to stay for another year."

Mago said the Forum was hopeful for successful conclusion of a safeguards agreement with the IAEA and quick approval from NSG so that the agreement could be "brought back to US Congress in the next 2-3 months".

"Leaders in India should pay attention to the remarks Senator Joe Biden, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee made on his recent visit to India," Mago, who played a crucial role in the passage of the Hyde Act, said.

Biden had pressed India to quickly pass the nuclear deal, saying if the agreement was not taken up the US Congress by June and ratified by July, any new US administration will "renegotiate" it.

"We were elated to provided more than 35 per cent of co-sponsors for the (Hyde Act) bill and will extend similar support for the final passage. We strongly believe that it is mutually beneficial to our adopted homeland and place of birth and will bring two nations closer and build stronger ties," Mago said.

Source : PTI