Kerry meets PM, positive on Indo-US civilian N-ties

According to sources, he expressed his appreciation of the fact that India has a good nuclear track record, despite its not being a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

Kerry has always emphasised strengthening the international non-proliferation regime. However, he has not so far openly opposed the Indo-US nuclear deal. Himself among the first to raise the alarm over international dealings linked with Islamabad’s nuclear programme, Kerry accepted that India could not be equated with countries involved in clandestine proliferation activity, sources said. But the larger issue for him remained the question of how the Bush Administration planned to further non-proliferation objectives.

Nuclear issues apart, Kerry was all praise for changes which have taken place in the country since his last visit five years ago. He conveyed the same to the Prime Minister, while underlining his support to strengthening the Indo-US bilateral relationship. Expanding bilateral economic ties was one of the issues he also discussed at length with the Prime Minister.

The US Senator also met National Security Advisor M K Narayanan today. India’s atomic programme, its view on increasing nuclear energy production and safeguards being undertaken in that respect were touched upon during these discussions.

Left to protest Bush visit

New Delhi: The Left parties are expected to convey to PM Manmohan Singh at their coordination committee with upa here on Thursday that they would stuck to their decision to boycott us President George W Bush’s visit scheduled for next month.