Manmohan Singh wants nuke deal done during current US visit

Onboard Air India One, Sept.23 : Indicating that the finalization of the Indo-US civil nuclear will not be delayed due to Washington's preoccupation with the meltdown on Wall Street, Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh told the media team accompanying him to New York that "in politics one learns to deal with disappointments. But, I think we have not gone that far, and the agreement will be done during this trip only."

Speaking off camera ahead of his September 25th meeting US President George W Bush in Washington, Dr. Singh seemed to put aside the doubts expressed by Indian Government officials about whether the deal would or would not be finalized during this visit.

He told reporters that it all depended on the U.S. Congress.

Refusing to comment on what his agenda would be, the Prime Minister said: "Both countries are facing major challenges; these challenges should be converted into opportunities."

"We welcome the advent of democracy in Pakistan and are looking forward to working with them," he added.

When asked to comment on the alleged American strikes in Pakistan's tribal "bad lands", Dr. Singh said: "It is a very unusual situation and we are studying it carefully." By Naveen Kapoor

ANI