Near critical mass

There is hectic activity below the surface on the nuclear deal as nervous diplomats iron out issues with the US. Some papers and proposals have come from Washington recently, though there is no indication of a breakthrough on the key issue of reprocessing rights for India. But the real flutter is about the unspoken July-end deadline to wrap up negotiations, that if the deal is not concluded by then, its negotiation could pass over to the next administration. Word is out that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice might slot a visit next month, but no confirmation of this is out yet.