N-deal: Rice calls Pranab, US rules out renegotiation

The spokesman said the civilian nuclear deal was the 8220;primary8221; focus of the telephone conversation between Rice and Mukherjee.

Asked if Rice is 8220;still hopeful8221; of the accord that has run into political trouble in India, McCormack said 8220;she Rice still supports it going forward. We have conveyed that to the Indian Government at different levels.

8220;They Indian leaders are working through some domestic politics. I know that there is an intense debate within India, right now, concerning the civil nuclear deal with the United States.

8220;The Indian people and the Indian political system are going to have to work out whatever resolution of that debate there will be. But we continue to urge the Indian Government to move forward with this deal. And we are prepared to move forward with it as well,8221; McCormack said.

Rice underlined to Mukherjee 8220;the same points that we can continue to support the agreement, continue moving forward with the agreement8221;, the spokesman said.

He said the resolution to the political discussions in India are for the Indian political system to resolve8230;.we continue to support moving forward with the agreement8221;. McCormack ruled out any possibility of a renegotiation of the deal.

8220;I don8217;t believe that there8217;s any consideration of that or any discussion of that on either side at this point,8221; McCormack said.