WASHINGTON (TIP): Influential American lawmakers have pushed for removing of restrictions on export of natural gas to India and sought to implement the civil nuclear deal to meet the country’s ever-growing energy needs.

Referring to fast tracking of economic reforms and acceleration of development by India, Chairman of powerful House Foreign Relations Committee Ed Royce said nuclear energy is important to have uninterrupted power supply.

Speaking at a Congressional briefing on India-US nuclear trade organized by the US-India Political Action Committee, Royce and other Congressmen hoped that the remaining hurdles in the implementation of the civil nuclear trade would soon be removed so that the full potential of nuclear energy could be realized by India.

Congressman Mike Honda exuded confidence about the optimistic future of civil nuclear co-operation.

The lawmakers also pushed for export of natural gas to India.

“Export of liquefied natural gas would have a very important impact on India,” said Congressman Ami Bera, the only Indian-American lawmaker in the current Congress.

Excited about the prospects of increase in energy trade with India, Congressman Pete Olson hoped that before this year end the first ship with American natural gas would be shipped to India.

Olson said the US has energy and technology to ensure that every Indian has the electricity they need. “I am committed to improve India US relationship,” he said.

Congressman Ted Poe from Texas also batted for export of natural gas from the US to India.

Calling for expediting the process of exporting natural gas to India, he said he has introduced legislation in this regard.

In his remarks, BJP Lok Sabha MP Udit Raj said that the relationship between India and the US is not only important for the two countries, but also for the entire world. Transfer of nuclear technology would help India in many ways, he said.

Referring to the speeches by US lawmakers, Raj said they are very enthusiastic to strengthen relationship with India. -PTI