Krishna says no delay on reprocessing agreement with US

New Delhi, July 29 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S M Krishna informed the Lok Sabha that there was no delay in the negotiations with the US on the reprocessing agreement as part of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal and officials of two countries have held talks in Vienna last week.

"There has been no delay in the negotiations and nor will the arrangements and procedures to be finalised have any relation to India's agreements in the field of civil nuclear cooperation with other countries," Krishna said.

He said the reprocessing agreement was in keeping with the bilateral agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation between India and the US.

Consultations on reprocessing arrangements and procedures began with a meeting in Vienna between India and the US from 21st to 22nd July, Krishna said.

The reprocessing agreement is necessary for setting up a facility under IAEA safeguards to reprocess nuclear fuel procured under international agreements.

India and the US had agreed to begin the negotiations within one year of signing the civil nuclear cooperation agreement, which was signed in October 2008. (ANI)