2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Wraps Up India Visit After Landmark C

By Paula Wolfson
New Delhi
03 March 2006

After finalizing¹ a landmark² nuclear deal with India, President Bush is wrapping up his trip with a stop in the city of Hyderabad and a speech in New Delhi.

The headlines in the Friday morning New Delhi newspapers tell the story. "We made history!" says one banner headline. "It's a deal. A very big deal!" says another.

They are referring to the dramatic announcement Thursday that the United States and India had finalized³ a nuclear energy cooperation agreement after months of marathon negotiations⁴.

President George W. Bush, left, with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during meeting  
  
Under the deal - which must be approved by a skeptical⁵ U.S. Congress - the United States is to provide India with the nuclear technology and fuel it needs to help meet the thirst for energy created by a rapidly growing economy of one billion people. In return, India, which has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has tested nuclear weapons as recently as 1998, will put its civilian⁶ nuclear program under international safeguards.

During his stop in Hyderabad Friday, President Bush praised the agreement.

"I can tell the American people that this is an important agreement to deal with the proliferation issue," he said. "For India, it makes sense because it will enable India to meet electricity needs."

The deal is, in essence, a watershed⁷ in U.S. - India relations, and a sign that both democratic nations are ready to move on and put the tensions of the Cold War era behind them.

Mr. Bush told a group of young entrepreneurs at the Indian School of Business that the improvement in relations has created new opportunities for both countries.

"I am excited about our strategic partnership⁸. I am equally excited about the future of India," he said.

Mr. Bush finishes up his stay in New Delhi with a speech to the Indian people. Aides say he will carry on the main theme of this trip: the strength and importance of the U.S. / India relationship.

1 finalizing   

vt.完成（finalize的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• You may edit registered information any time during the finalizing period. 您可以在规定期限内随时编辑修改注册资料。 来自互联网
• Natsun Trimming & Ironing, Finalizing the Perfection. 40南山整烫，完美在此定格。 来自互联网

2 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

3 finalized   

vt.完成（finalize的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• The draft of this article has been finalized [done]. 这篇文章已经定稿。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The draft was revised several times before it was finalized. 稿子几经删改才定下来。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

4 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

5 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

6 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

7 watershed   

n.转折点，分水岭，分界线

参考例句：

• Our marriage was at a watershed.我们的婚姻到了一个转折关头。
• It forms the watershed between the two rivers.它成了两条河流的分水岭。

8 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。