Nuclear deal may be passed in two stages by Congress: Mulford

New Delhi, June 2 (UNI) The Indo-US nuclear deal may not be passed by the US Congress this year, while the agreement might be split into two separate components for ''easier and earlier passage'' US Ambassador to India David C Mulford said today.

Admitting that the deal, which was expected to be passed by the US Congress last month, might be be delayed till October when the Congress goes into recess and even till next year, when a new Congress is elected, he, however, noted that the ''prospects for earlier action are better than characterised''.

Stressing that the Congress was an independent part of the US political establishment and its prerogative could not be challenged, Mr Mulford said that the Bush administration was working in close coordination with the legislative body to ensure early passage of the bill.

''Basically, the Congress understands it is going to act upfront on the legislation (on civil nuclear deal)... They (Congress members) are wrestling with the idea at the moment as to how they do that so that they have a final say on whether or not other pieces should be coming or not,'' he said, in an interview to Karan Thapar on CNBC India.

The Ambassador said a ''two-vote'' strategy is being contemplated which will entail tagging of the proposed bilateral agreement to the change of legislation.

''We are moving towards possible two-vote solution where there can be an upfront vote, which will address the law change and subsequently, a second vote on 123 agreement or bilateral agreement when it has been negotiated,'' he said, adding that under this, it will be specified in the legislative process on the nuclear deal that the bilateral agreement will have to take place within certain period of time.

Mr Mulford said this was necessiated as ''some members of the Congress are uncomfortable with such an important historical vote being taken upfront before the bilateral agreement, that reflects that change, is completed.'' ''There are many pieces -- US Congress, Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), IAEA and Indian government -- involved and progress is needed on all fronts simultaneously,'' he said, adding ''if you want favourable action by the Congress, it is important to be seen making progress in the IAEA and NSG, which is happening.'' In reply to a query, he said there was always a possibility of some proposals or suggestions coming up during Congressional process like the ones recommending amendments in the nuclear deal.

However, he stressed that the Bush administration has ''no secret agenda'' nor ''intention to raise the bar.'' ''Nothing has changed in the deal. There is no moving the goalposts, no change in the gameplan,'' Mr Mulford said, adding that only the time-line by which the deal is expected to be passed by the Congress, depended on the Congressional time-table.

''The Bush Administration is pushing the Congress to do it earlier and that prospects of earlier action are better,'' he said.

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