PTI
 
Washington, Mar 17: Describing the nuclear deal as a "bold agreement" aimed at realising "meaningful" cooperation with India, President George W Bush on Thursday said the US had "set aside decades of mistrust" and put relations with New Delhi "on a new and fruitful path."

"In July 2005 we signed a bold agreement -- a roadmap to realise the meaningful cooperation that had eluded our two nations for decades. India is poised to shoulder global obligations in cooperation with the United States in a way befitting a major power," he said in the 2006 National Security Strategy report in an obvious reference to the civilian nuclear energy agreement between the two countries.

In the 49-page report released in Washington on Thursday morning, the President said: "We have set aside decades of mistrust and put relations with India, the world's most populous democracy, on a new and fruitful path."

"India is a great democracy and our shared values are the foundation of our good relations. Our goal is for the entire region of south and central Asia to be democratic, prosperous and at peace," he said.

"We have made great strides in transforming America's relationship with India, a major power that shares our commitment to freedom, democracy and the rule of law," Bush said while making it clear that the regions of south and central Asia was of "great strategic importance where American interests and values are engaged as never before."