On Board Special Aircraft
September 27, 2008

I was in the United States since the 22nd of this month and during the course of my stay I met Prime Minister Wen Jiabao of China, President Zardari of Pakistan, President Bush of the United States and Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom. I also had brief interactions with the Prime Minster's of Norway and the Netherlands . The outcome of my meetings with Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and the President of Pakistan has already been communicated to you through a joint statement and by the Foreign Secretary. The visit to Washington was to review the state of Indo-US relations in the background of the July 18, 2005 statement . Both President Bush and I expressed satisfaction at the way the relations have progressed. I was told that the 123 agreement was in Congress, and I have just now heard that the House has passed the Bill. It will now go to the US Senate. l I am happy that one hurdle has been crossed , but it's not the end of the Congressional process and we need to wait for the final outcome.