Pranab Mukherjee says UPA will resolve differences with Left over N-deal

Chandigarh, Mar 15 : Two days before the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-Left coordination committee meeting on the much-touted Indo-US civil nuclear deal, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said that differences pertaining to the deal with the Left Parties will be resolved. "I am hopeful of sorting out the issue (with the Left)," Mukherjee told reporters.

During last few weeks lot has been talked about deadline relating to the Indo-US nuke-deal. It faces an informal US deadline related to securing approval of America 's Congress well before this year Presidential polls.

Three steps are required to operationalise the deal namely, safeguards agreement with the IAEA, amendment in the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group's charter and the passing of the 123-agreement by the US Congress.

During the UPA-Left committee meeting on March 17, the Central Government will present the draft safeguards agreement finalised with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for endorsement of the panel.

Talking about his visit to Washington, the minister said nuclear deal is not the only issue that will be discussed with US.

"There are other bilateral issues, including trade and commerce and investment etc which can be discussed between the two countries," Mukherjee said.

ANI