A top US official says that Washington is determined to finalize a civilian nuclear pact with India as soon as possible.
Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher says that the administration is committed to get the Senate approval for the deal to sell US nuclear technology to India.
Boucher told reporters in New Delhi that he hoped the outgoing Senate will vote on the agreement. He added that the results of Tuesday's US election will not affect the outcome because the deal is in the US interest.
Secretary Boucher is on an official tour of South Asia, which includes a visit to Islamabad, Kabul and Colombo before arriving in India.
He expressed hope that nuclear rivals India and Pakistan would make progress toward peace and work together against terrorism.
The House of Representatives approved the proposed pact earlier this year.
A US-Indian nuclear cooperation agreement needs Congressional approval because India has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.