US to continue work with India on nuclear deal

Facing timelines, India and the US on Monday waffled on the civilian nuclear deal with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee saying...

Facing timelines, India and the US on Monday waffled on the civilian nuclear deal with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee saying there is some 8220;political problem8221; domestically and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asserting Washington will 8220;continue8221; to work on it.

8220;We are interested in implementing the landmark agreement. But now we have some political problem. Currently we are engaged in the process of resolving them,8221; External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters after a 30-minute meeting here with Rice.

The minister is expected to have a separate meeting with President George W Bush.

Mukherjee, who is on his maiden bilateral visit to Washington as External Affairs Minister, said his Government was engaged in discussions with various political parties.

Conveying Washington8217;s desire to take the deal forward, Rice said it was a 8220;landmark agreement which is good for both sides8230;.we will continue to work on that agreement8221;.

On negotiations with the IAEA on India-specific safeguards agreement, Mukherjee said the discussions were over.

8220;The agreement is yet to be initialled and approved by the board of governors ofthe IAEA.8221;

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India needs to firm up the agreement with the IAEA and secure changes in the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group NSG to enable nuclear commerce with it.

The Left parties, stoutly opposing the deal in its present form, have threatened to withdraw support to the Government if steps were taken to operationalise it.

The US has nudged India into concluding the agreement with the IAEA and seek NSG waiver by May to give the Congress time to have a final vote on the deal.

During his recent visit to India, Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher said time was 8220;very tight8221; and there was a lot of work to be done.

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The Left parties have also raised concerns over the Hyde Act, which they feel would restrict India8217;s strategic nuclear programme.

Washington, on the other hand, has made it clear that the 8220;domestic8221; legislation would have to be taken into account in operation of the civil nuclear cooperation.

Concerns were heightened after Rice said last month that changes in the NSG guidelines would have to be 8220;completely consistent with the obligations of the Hyde Act8221;.