US welcomes Indias move to ink n-damages pact

PM Manmohan Singh was learnt to have given the go-ahead for signing the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) on nuclear damages.

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On a day Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was learnt to have given the go-ahead for signing the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) on nuclear damages ahead of US President Barack Obamas state visit,the US welcomed Indias willingness to sign the convention.

American officials on Monday described as positive signals that India was going ahead with the CSC. Signing up to CSC is a very positive step,if and when it happens. That will then allow the companies to begin commercial negotiations required for fulfilling the promise of the nuclear deal, US officials said. It is learnt that the final clearance for the CSC was given by the PM from Japan on Monday and the final paperwork was being processed in New Delhi.

The Indian mission in Vienna has been alerted and would go ahead with the final step once the paperwork has been processed. Signing the CSC is seen as a vital step that will address concerns of US companies and will bring India up to international standards as far as nuclear trade is concerned.

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US government officials also said the regional security situation with regard to Pakistan and Afghanistan would be high on the agenda during the visit. However,the officials made it clear that there would be no intervention on the Kashmir issue that needs to be resolved between India and Pakistan.

On the alleged presence of Chinese troops in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,the officials made it clear that the USs stand was that the Kashmir issue was between India and Pakistan and no third country should be involved.

Other issues to be discussed will be the broadening and deepening of strategic cooperation in the field of economy,defence,security and counter-terrorism.