Manmohan positive about Indo-US nuke deal

On Board PM's Special Aircraft, Nov 20: Accepting the delay in conclusion of the Indo-US nuclear deal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said he has not given up hope to reach a ''final satisfactory outcome'' on the matter.

''There has been some delay. I can't deny it. But there is still a hope that the process of bringing about a viable national consensus will yield results'', Dr Singh told reporters while commenting on delay in conclusion of the deal because of opposition from the left.

En route to Singapore for the India-ASEAN summit and East Asia meet, the Prime Minister said negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) can be brought to successful conclusions.

After talks with the IAEA, the issue would be discussed at the left UPA Coordination Committee.

On being asked whether he was hopeful of reaching a consensus with allies on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, he said, ''We will cross the bridge when we come to it.'' Referring to hike on petrol prices because of crude oil touching around 95 dollars per barrel, he said the issue was being discussed.

A group of Ministers have been constituted to examine the matter and report back to the cabinet within a month.

UNI