UNI

Washington, Dec 16: The White House has highlighted the significance of India, saying it is 'very important' for the United States to continue to deepen its relationship with the country.

Commenting on the significance of Monday's White House ceremony where US President George W Bush will sign the legislation giving effect to the US-India civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, its spokesman Tony Snow said, ''of course it is. It's hugely important.'' The US Congress gave its approval early this month to the legislation which seeks to lift the 30-year-old ban on the export of US nuclear fuel and technology to India.

"I think it reflects not only the growing importance of India as a partner and ally with the United States, but I think we hope the growing importance of the United States also as an ally with India,'' he said.

The spokesman said, "You've got an expanding economy; you've got the largest democracy on the face of the Earth. It is a nation that has a democracy that accommodates a wide variety of religions and cultural groups and racial groups. And so it's very important to us that we continue to deepen our relationship with India.