Shyam Saran to meet Nicholas Burns in London tomorrow

New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran and US Under-Seretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns will meet in London tomorrow to review progress on the Civilian Nuclear Agreement and take stock of how to proceed further on the deal.

Official sources said here today that the two will also have informal discussions on various elements of bilateral relations including economy and trade.

During his visit, he will also meet the Permanent Under Secretary of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Michael Jay and other senior officials.

On Thursday, Mr Saran will speak at the International Institute of Strategic Studies on 'India and the Emerging World Order.' Prior to the address, Mr Saran will meet the media during a press conference at the Indian High Commission here.

''The two will meet to know where we (both countries) stand and how the US is planning to take it forward through the Congress and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Informally they will be looking at some other elements of bilateral relations including economy and trade. There are a number of things on Indo-US agenda,'' the sources here added.

The sources said India remained committed to the July 18, 2005, Indo-US Joint Statement and hoped that the legislation which had been introduced in the Congress, would be voted upon in June.

''The sense we are getting is that there is balance (in the US Congress) but we are not quite certain what form it will take,'' the sources said adding that some US Congress members linked it with the bilateral nuclear energy cooperation and said the legislation would come into effect once there is some agreement on the bilateral energy cooperation.

However, the key is still the legislation and the 123 agreement could not become operational unless there is legislation in place.

The sources said India had not hesitated to have discussions with NSG members and Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr R Chidambaram had travelled to Vienna in the past to meet the members.

They said India had made it very clear to the US that whatever is to be incorporated in the agreement, must be within the July 18 statement.

''We are only committed to the July 18 statement...We have done our bit in opening way for the legislation. Time has now come for the legislation to take shape,'' the sorces said while admitting that there were dificulties.

UNI RB MSJ KN2103