Washington: The Indo-US civil nuclear deal would figure prominently when External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee holds talks with US President George W Bush at the White House today as the two countries work on broadening and deepening bilateral ties.

Prior to the Bush-Mukherjee meeting, the White House said that the President was "excited" about meeting Mukherjee and discussing the range of bilateral issues including the civilian nuclear deal.

"President Bush is excited to meet with the Minister of India," White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said.

"There's lots of different things to talk about. We have a broad and deep relationship with India on a variety of issues, including the civil nuclear agreement... And I'm sure they'll talk about other things as well," the senior White House official added.

Meanwhile, Mukherjee met National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley at the White House here. There was no official word from the Indian or the American side on what transpired at the meeting between the two.

Source : PTI