Related: India, U.S. sign civil nuclear cooperation pact

    NEW DELHI, March 2 (Xinhuanet) -- The meeting between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and U.S. President George Bush here went beyond discussions on the nuclear deal.

    Besides the deal, the two leaders discussed trade, terrorism, agriculture, science, technology and certain global issues, according to the Indo-U.S. joint statement issued here Thursday.

    The two nations agreed to intensify efforts to develop a bilateral trade. They endorsed the efforts of the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum on reduction of barriers to trade and investment, aiming at doubling bilateral trade in three years.

    They also agreed to advance mutually beneficial bilateral tradeand investment flows by holding bilateral consultations on issues like tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade in goods and services, and preventing the illicit use of the financial system.

    The two nations also agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture by launching the Knowledge Initiative on Agriculture. They have entered into a three-year financial commitment to link universities, technical institutions, and businesses to support agriculture education, joint research and capacity building projects.

    India and the United States also endorsed a work plan to promote bilateral trade in agriculture through agreements that lay out a path to open the U.S. market to Indian mangoes.

    The workplan also recognizes India as having the authority to certify shipment of Indian products to the U.S. Department of Agriculture organic standards and provide for discussions on current regulations affecting trade in fresh fruits and vegetables, poultry and dairy and almonds.

    The two nations reaffirmed their commitment to completing the World Trade Organization Doha Development Agenda (DDA) before the end of 2006.

    The two nations also welcomed the creation of the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, which will enable India and the United States to work with other countries in the region to meet increased energy needs.

    Science and technology was another area of discussion. India and the United States announced the establishment of a Bi-National Science and Technology Commission which the United States and India will co-fund. It will generate collaborative partnerships in science and technology and promote industrial research and development.

    They also agreed to continue exploring further cooperation in civil space, including space exploration, satellite navigation and earth science.

    The two countries also welcomed the inclusion of two U.S. instruments in the Indian lunar mission Chandrayaan-1.

    Global issues including terrorism were also discussed. They agreed to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries and stressed that terrorism is a global scourge that must be fought and rooted out in every part of the world.

    In context of bombings in Karachi, days before Bush is to visit Pakistan, Bush said while speaking to media that terrorists and killers would not prevent him from going to Pakistan.

    The joint statement said that the two sides welcomed the increased cooperation between the United States and India in the defense area, since the New Framework for the U.S.-India Defense Relationship was signed on June 28, 2005. Enditem