US trying to finalise nuclear deal with India: WH

Washington, Apr 19: The Bush administration is working very hard with the Indian government to get the US-India civilian nuclear deal completed, says White spokesperson Dana Perino.

She was replying to a question about the delay in finalising the agreement.

She, however, ruled out that the delay had anything to do with India's successful test last week of Nuclear capable long-range ballistic missile Agni-III.

The State Department has said earlier this week that the Bush administration is awaiting India's reaction to the ''pathway'' the US has suggested to overcome hurdles in the way to the 123 agreement, a prerequisite to give effect to their civilian nuclear deal between the two countries.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Monday that the discussions between the two courtiers were currently going on and ''we will see (how they progress)''.

The so-called 123 Agreement refers to the section of the US Atomic Energy Act.

UNI