Cong optimistic of Left endorsement of N-deal

New Delhi, Mar 3 (UNI) The Congress today expressed optimism that the Left parties would endorse the Indo-US nuclear deal in the joint mechanism with most of the issues relating to safeguards agreement being ironed out at the fifth round of IAEA talks at Geneva.

The Congress also ruled out early polls on account of the populist Budget presented by the UPA Government three days ago, saying it did not speculate on premature elections.

Talking to reporters, Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said: ''We are happy that vast areas of differences have been ironed out at the last IAEA talks.... There was virtual acceptance of many, if not all, of India's points of view in respect to the safeguards agreement.'' He said the Congress always maintained that the nuclear deal was in public interest and, hence, was optimistic, positive and hopeful that it would get a sympathetic endorsement by all sections in the joint mechanism.

''We have absolutely no reason to be pessimistic or negative about the IAEA talks or about the joint mechanism or the deal,'' he added.

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