正在印度訪問的美國國務卿賴斯說，美國和印度之間具有里程碑意義的民用核協定不久將簽署。但是兩國沒有在賴斯訪問期間簽署這一協定。這個協定將結束執行了30年的不得與印度進行民用核貿易的禁令。
Secretary Rice said in New Delhi Saturday that the civil nuclear agreement between the two countries will be signed into law "very soon" by President Bush.
美國國務卿賴斯星期六在新德里說，兩國之間的這項民用核協定“不久”將由布什總統簽署成為法律。
The landmark deal received the approval of the U.S. Congress recently, paving the way for the two countries to finalize the agreement, and open up civil nuclear trade between them.
這一具有里程碑意義的協定最近得到美國國會批準，為兩國最后敲定這一協定和開啟兩國之間的民用核貿易鋪平了道路。
The pact was expected to be signed by the two countries during Secretary Rice's visit to the Indian capital, but that did not happen.
人們曾經預計兩國會在賴斯訪問印度首都期間簽署這項協議，但是并沒有實現。
Secretary Rice says administrative details remain to be resolved before the signing. But she called it "a done deal."
賴斯說，在簽署協定之前，還有行政方面的細節需要解決。但是她說，協定“已經成定局”。
"It is a matter of signing that agreement, and so I don't anyone to think that we have open issues. We in fact don't have open issues. These are administrative matters of signing agreements," he said.
賴斯說：“現在只是簽署的問題，所以我不想讓人們認為我們還有沒解決的問題。我們實際上沒有尚待解決的問題。這些只是簽署協定的行政方面的問題�！�
After holding talks with her Indian counterpart, Pranab Mukherjee, Secretary Rice said the deal gives a new platform for cooperation in energy matters between the two countries.
賴斯在和印度外長會談之后說，這項協定為兩國在能源事務上合作提供了一個新的平臺。
The nuclear deal will allow American companies to sell nuclear fuel, reactors and technology to India.
這項核協定允許美國公司向印度出售核燃料、核反應堆與核技術。
She also expressed optimism about future friendship between the two countries, saying the United States enjoys one of the "broadest relations" with India. She said the nuclear deal will trigger an expansion of their ties.
賴斯還對兩國未來的友好關系表示樂觀，她說，美國和印度之間存在一種“最廣泛的關系”。她說，這項核協定將推動兩國關系擴大。
Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee expressed satisfaction with the agreement, saying it will help the country's quest for development.
印度外長慕吉克對協定表示滿意。他說，協定將幫助印度加快發展。
"It is this agreement which has opened the door for India for international nuclear commerce. What India and the United States are doing today has direct benefits to our people, and assist India's efforts to develop," he said.
慕吉克說：“這項協定開啟了印度從事國際核商業的大門。印度和美國今天做的事情讓我們的人民直接獲益，而且有助于印度的發展工作�！�
India and the United States first announced their intention to pursue nuclear cooperation in 2005. The pact went ahead despite strong political opposition in India. Communist parties and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party say it will bring the country's foreign policy too much under American influence.
印度和美國2005年首次宣布進行核合作的意愿。盡管在印度政界的反對聲浪很高，但是雙方還是達成了協議。
India was banned from civil nuclear trade since 1974, when it first conducted nuclear tests. New Delhi has not signed the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. Critics of the deal say giving India access to nuclear technology will undermine efforts to control the spread of nuclear weapons.