Washington hopes for N-deal in Bush term

Washington, May 23: As the United Progressive Alliance government and the Left meet next week to discuss the fate of the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, Washington has said it wants the agreement to be finalised under the Bush administration.

Asked about US ambassador to India David Mulford’s comments that the deal could be finalised under Mr Bush, who is in his final year in office, state department’s deputy spokesman Tom Casey said, "There are internal political considerations in India which have yet not been resolved and it for the Indian government to do so.

"We would like to see this arrangement finalised. We continue to believe that it is in the best interest of India, the United States and the best interest of global non-proliferation regimes," he told reporters.

The questioner had asked what sort of message Mr Mulford intended to send when the deal is largely though to be on a backburner in the face of opposition from the Left.

The spokesman said he had not seen Mr Mulford’s statement and then went to explain the US position.

The UPA government and the Left parties will meet on May 28 for the eighth round of talks on the deal.

Four Left parties, which provide crucial outside support to the Congress-led government, are strongly opposed to the nuclear deal, insisting that it will undermine the country’s sovereignty and strategic nuclear programme.

Negotiations with United Nations atomic watchdog IAEA for the safeguards agreement have been completed but its signing is on hold pending clearance from the Left parties.

Firming up of the safeguards agreement with the IAEA is a crucial step for implementation of the nuclear deal with the United States.

The UPA-Left committee, set up to resolve the differences, has met seven times since November last year but the government has been unable to convince them. (PTI)