Nuclear deal may not get nod this year: Report

New York, Apr 22: India-US supporters of the nuclear agreement are concerned that the deal might not be approved by the US Congress this year, according to The Wall Street Journal.

US House of Representatives Speaker J Dennis Hastert, an Illinois Republican, recently visited New Delhi as part of a Congressional delegation and his discussion with Indian leaders focused on the nuclear-deal among other things.

''Mr Hastert, vows to push ahead but Congressional calendar is crowded before midterm elections,'' the newspaper said yesterday.

The midterm Congressional elections are scheduled for November 7, Congress must approve the deal to allow the sales of American nuclear technology to India, the paper said.

American Ambassador to India David Mulford is scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill next week in connection with the deal, as business lobbies launch a grass-roots campaign in eight American cities.

Many Indian-American campaign donors are scheduled to visit Washington on May 3 for a White House briefing and meetings with the lawmakers, the paper said.

''Navy and Air Force step up military-to-military cooperation with India, which the Pentagon calls a key partner,'' the daily said.

UNI