Indo-US talks on peaceful nuclear cooperation begin

New Delhi, June 12: Indian and US officials began technical-level talks on Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation Agreement here today.

The Indian team for the three-day talks is led Mr S Jaishankar, Joint Secretary (US, Canada) in the External Affairs Ministry and includes officials from the Department of Atomic Energy.

Mr Richard Stratfor, Director of the Department of Energy, is heading the US delegation which also consists of representatives from the State Department and the Bureau of Security and Non-proliferation.

The talks are being held in the backdrop of attempts being made by several US Congressmen to link the bilateral agreement with the Civil Nuclear Agreement and have them voted together.

Suggestions have emanated from Washington that India should forgo future nuclear testing, otherwise the nuclear cooperation would be cancelled.

Though India has already declared a unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing, it has made it clear that it will not legally commit to it.

The job is going to be tough for India officials with reports saying a sizeable section of the Congressmen want the agreement, under which the International Atomic Energy Agency is to supervise India's civilian nuclear programme, to be in place before finally inking the deal.

UNI