Recalling the challenges in the last three years, Rice said, “Many thought this day would never come, but doubts have been silenced now.”

She added, “The agreement we are about to sign is unprecedented and it demonstrates the vast potential partnership between India and the US, a potential that, frankly, has gone unfulfilled for too many decades of mistrust, and now potential that can be fully realised.”

Signalling that there was still work ahead, she said, “Let no one assume, though, that our work is now finished. Indeed, what is most valuable about this agreement is how it unlocks a new and far broader world of potential for our strategic partnership in the 21st century, not just on nuclear cooperation but on every area of national endeavor.”

She added, “India and US can do all of this and more together. There is so much that our two great nations will achieve in this new century. And with the conclusion of this agreement, our partnership will be limited only by our will and our imagination. India and the United States have taken on an extremely difficult challenge. We’ve met it. We’ve succeeded together. Now, I believe there is nothing that we cannot do together.”