Hopes of successful end of Indo-US nuke deal revived

Washington, May 24: Prospects of a successful conclusion of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal have improved following Under Secretary of State, Nicholas Burns decision to soon undertake a visit to New Delhi, the postponement of which had led to the impression that the two sides are unable to resolve their differences over major issues.

Speaking at a Heritage Foundation seminar on Indo-US relations here yesterday, Burns said he would call Indian Foreign Secretary, Shiv Shankar Menon in the next two days to plan a date for a trip to New Delhi, which was now expected ''in the next week or two''.

Burns, who is the chief US negotiator, appeared extremely hopeful, saying ''We're 90 per cent of the way there,'' in finalising the agreement, initiated in 2005.

He, however, acknowledged difficulties involved in clinching the deal, calling for compromises on both sides to close the gaps.

''It's going to require a little bit more hard work and some compromise on the part of the United States and the Indian governments to complete the deal, but I'm confident we can do that,'' Burns said.

''The agreement has become, in many ways, the symbolic centerpiece of our overall relationship. Like all good things, it will continue to require hard work and difficult compromises to reach completion. Despite some difficulties of late, I believe we will reach the mountaintop and realise the enormous promise of this breakthrough agreement.'' Burns decision to visit New Delhi followed a two-day ''technical discussions'' between the Indian and US officials which concluded in London on Tuesday where efforts were made to break the deadlock in the negotiations on the proposed 1-2-3 agreement, a prerequisite for the implementation of the deal.

According to reports, the main contentious issue is the US provision, as enshrined in the Hyde act, seeking to terminate nuclear cooperation if India tests a nuclear device. Burns, however, said, ''We are making progress in our negotiations and hope to conclude this historic agreement very soon. This is the right agreement for us and we need to make a final push to cement it.'' On December 18, 2006, President Bush signed a law expanding civil nuclear cooperation with India that lifted long-standing restrictions against the US companies on supplying nuclear fuel or investing in Indian nuclear power.

The agreement, when implemented, will lay the groundwork for similar agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), ending isolation for India's nuclear programme, he said.

UNI

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