Big victory for PM Modi's diplomacy! India-US seal long-pending nuclear deal

New Delhi, Jan 25: In what could be termed as a major diplomatic victory for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has successfully in persuaded US President Barack Obama in removing hurdles in operationalising the long-stalled civil nuclear agreement.

The US has reportedly decided to withdraw the contentious tracking clause, which had prevented the operationalising of the India-US nuclear deal since 2008.

As per a TOI report, official sources said the US had agreed to withdraw its "highly intrusive" demand for tracking of nuclear material sourced even from third countries for use in reactors supplied by US companies.

We have achieved a breakthrough and are moving towards full implementation of the civil nuclear energy deal, said US President Barack Obama.

Obama said there has been a breakthrough and the two countries were "moving towards full implementation" of the of civil nuclear energy deal.

"Civil nuclear cooperation is a step to elevate our relationship," said Obama after holding summit level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Meanwhile, addressing the joint press conference Prime Minister Modi said, "The civil nuclear agreement was the centerpiece of our transformed relationship."

Modi and Obama today held talks on a range of crucial issues, including resolving operationalising the long-stalled civil nuclear agreement and enhancing ties in defence, trade and commerce and climate change.

Officials said "progress has been made" on the nuclear issue and India was looking forward to "effectively" work with the US in this "extremely important" field.

The Indian liability law holds the suppliers directly liable in case of a nuclear accident while countries like France and the US have asked India to follow global norms under which the primary liability is with the operator.

Since all nuclear power plants in the country are run by the state-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, following the international norms will mean the government would have to pay the damages in case of an accident.

Making headway in civil nuclear cooperation, firming up a defence cooperation agreement and broadening ties in diverse areas including trade and investment are major focus of the deliberations, as both countries were working hard to have "excellent" outcomes from Obama's visit.

Reflecting the importance India attaches to Obama's three-day visit, Modi received Obama at the Palam airport, in a departure from protocol.

OneIndia News