US officials meet Mishra: talk nuclear, space issues

Sources said the progress in civilian nuclear issues and hi-technology commerce were discussed. These are two areas where New Delhi has felt the pace of progress has been slower than expected. Both sides confirmed the next meeting on hi-technology commerce will be held on November 20.

South Block officials indicated that the development on the Trinity Issues will also figure when PM A.B. Vajpayee meets US President George W. Bush on the margins of the UN General Assembly on September 23.

Further, New Delhi is said to have stressed the need for hastening the pace in civilian nuclear cooperation. It must be noted that US Nuclear Regulatory Commission chairman Richard Meserve was here in February to take matters forward in the areas of nuclear safety and peaceful application of nuclear energy. However, India has been in favour of more frequent interaction on these subjects.

Today’s visit by the two senior officials, sources said, should be seen in this context. But, sources said, the scope of interaction needs to spread across different levels involving focussed discussions. The growing number of trips on both sides, they added, indicates matters seemed to be moving in the right direction.

US Embassy officials, while confirming the brief visit, emphasised that the two sides discussed only bilateral issues. Iraq or the US-sponsored UN resolution, they added, did not come up for discussion. Both officials were to leave for the US late tonight.