Indian nuclear liability policy troubles US

New York, Sep 28: With India introducing a legislation that holds Nuclear suppliers also liable in the event of an accident, several US industrialists are having second thoughts, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is learnt to have conveyed to Indian foreign minister SM Krishna.

India's nuclear liability policy, a key piece to completion of the Indo-US nuclear deal, is learnt to have taken the centre stage at the bilateral meeting between Krishna and Clinton.

“The issue was raised with Minister Krishna today and he explained about the processes that the bill had gone through," Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told media.

“And the fact that we were ready to engage with the US companies on the questions that they had raised to be able to clear their doubts and clarify the issues they wanted to discuss with us," she added.

Rao accompanied Krishna to the bilateral meet which lasted for about 30 minutes. The meet was held to set the foundation for President Barack Obama"s visit to New Delhi in Nov 2010.

Rao had already discussed the N-liability issue with Clinton earlier.

“Secretary Clinton spoke of their own processes within the country and their often contentious nature of democracy which is a fact that we all appreciate," she said.

In a related development, Assistant Secretary Robert Blake has emphasised that the liability issues is an “important priority" for US.

“We"ve taken note of some of the concerns that industry representatives have raised about some of the provisions of the liability bill and that the bill may possibly be inconsistent with international standards," Mr. Blake told journalists after the meeting.

“We look forward to working with the Indian government to work our way through this and arrive at a solution where American industry can contribute to India"s ambitious civil nuclear energy needs," he said.

OneIndia News