India, US move towards clinching nuclear deal

New Delhi, Mar 1 (UNI) As President George W Bush arrived here tonight on a landmark visit, India and the US appeared to be inching closer on the signing of the controversial nuclear deal tomorrow.

Just before the arrival of Mr Bush the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs today met and gave the go ahead to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who will be piloting the nuclear deal with the US President during talks tomorrow.

The National Security Advisors of both the countries, who have been in touch earlier, held informal talks again tonight to remove any last minutes glitches, official sources said.

Breaking protocol, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife personally received Mr Bush and his wife Laura at the airport. The US President, who is on a three-day state visit, will begin his official engagements tomorrow with a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

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