US committed to Nuke deal, may get delayed : Mulford

New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) Seeking to allay fears about the Indo-US nuclear deal is hanging by thread, US Ambassador to India David Mulford today said Washington is very much committed to the July 18, 2005 agreement even though a nod by the Congress might get delayed.

''We are as committed (to the deal) as ever, even though there may be delay...the Civilian Nuclear Agreement has been done once with India in the 30 year-relationship,'' Mr Mulford told reporters here.

He said the US Congress could not pass it because of other heavy engagements on the agenda and in case a new Congress came in, it would go through the entire process again.

There is a parliamentary methodology and theere were a huge number of over-hanging and other legislative issues at play, the Ambassador said adding that there was no time for a full debate.

He assured that there was, however, no reduction in the United States commitment even though there might be delay.

The Indo-US relationship continues to be broad-based and would prosper.

''The two democracies are working on some issues. Opinion in both countries may be different but there are positive statements on both sides,'' he added.

Expressing confidence that differences between over issues like conduct of nuclear tests by India would be resolved under the bilateral nuclear agreement--the 123 agreement--Mr Mulford said Washington would continue to push the Bill.

Refuting the argumeents that the Bush administration could have extracted more from New Delhi, Mr Mulford said the deal struck was the best deal that could be made ''The deal is a finely balanced and subsequent changees will render it unacceptable,'' he added.

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