WASHINGTON, Oct. 17(Xinhuanet)-- The United States and India signed on Monday a comprehensive agreement on scientific and technological cooperation in a bid to strengthen ties between the two countries.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Kapil Sibal, India'sminister of state for science and technology and ocean development, attended the signing ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Rice called the agreement a"dramaticillustration of the fast-growing bilateral relationship we are building between the United States and India."

Sibal also described the deal as a milestone.

US State Department officials said the agreement will strengthen science and technology capabilities in both countries, increase relations between scientists and researchers and promote cooperation.

The agreement also establishes, for the first time, intellectual property right protocols and other provisions necessary for collaborative research between the two governments and their private sectors and academics, the officials said.

Strategic, diplomatic and economic ties between India and the United States have blossomed since New Delhi was quick to back Washington's war on terror after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Washington signed a nuclear pact with India on July 5 to help New Delhi with its civilian nuclear program. Enditem