Indo-US N-deal is based on reciprocal commitments: MEA

NEW DELHI: Making it clear that the Indo-US nuclear deal is based on 'reciprocal commitments', India on Friday said it is Washington's 'responsibility' for bringing about a change in US legislation to enable full civil nuclear energy cooperation between the two countries.

"We have been negotiating the nuclear deal with the US Administration on the premise that it is an agreement about civil nuclear energy cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said here.

He was asked about remarks by Democrat lawmaker Tom Lantos, co-author of a bill aimed at implementing Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, cautioning India against associating itself with statements against US policies on Iran in fora like NAM if it wanted Congress to approve the pact.

The spokesman said there have been a number of US Senators and Congressmen who have expressed different views concerning the Indo-US nuclear agreement.

India has been negotiating the nuclear deal with the US Administration on the premise that it is an agreement about civil nuclear energy on the basis of 'mutual benefit', he said.

"The agreement would have to be based on the reciprocal commitments incorporated in the Indo-US joint statement of July 18, 2005 and the elements contained in India's Separation Plan, which was submitted to Parliament on March 11, 2006," he said.

Sarna said this was the understanding with the US Administration, which has the responsibility for bringing about a change in US legislation to enable full civil nuclear energy cooperation between our two countries.