US expects India to move fast on N-deal

NEW YORK: As the government in New Delhi still debates with its Left allies on the nuclear deal, the US Tuesday night said India needs to move fast on the deal, expressing the hope that it would take a 'positive decision'.
     
Addressing a breakfast meeting at the Council of Foreign Relations, US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said India has to move fast because the Bush Administration would like to send the final legislation sealing the deal to the Congress by the year end.
    
"It is never a good idea to send a major legislation to the Congress in spring or summer of an election year", Burns said, referring to the fact that the Presidential election are due next year.
     
The deal, he said, was reached after tough negotiations and has bipartisan support in the Congress.
     
Repeatedly stressing that he does not want to interject himself in the political debate now going on among the members of the 'rather large' ruling coalition in India, the US official noted that the recent statement by External Affairs Minster Pranab Mukherjee did not rule out the deal.
      
As to what steps India needs to take, he said New Delhi has to reach an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on safeguards which would allow it to inspect its civilian nuclear power plants and then the US would have to get approval from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
      
After that, he said it would send the legislation to the Congress, telling the lawmakers that all their demands had been fulfilled.
       
Burns said the nuclear deal was in the interest of New Delhi, Washington, global community and environment.
    
Pointing out that emergence of India as a global power is for everyone to see, Burns stressed the stabilising role New Delhi could effectively play in the region especially in moving Myanmar towards a democratic set up and help bring pressure on Iran to forego its nuclear weapon ambitions.
    
The foreign policy pursued by India over the year has given credibility to New Delhi which would enable it to play a major role in both regional and global affairs.
    
Responding to a question, Burns said India has not signed the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty but it has been following its rules voluntarily. But Iran had singed the treaty and then reneged on its obligation.
    
Welcoming the dialogue between India and Pakistan on sorting out the outstanding issues, Burns expressed the hope that they would be able to resolve the Kashmir issue.
    
Replying to a question, he said the US is not mediating as the two countries are capable of taking care of their differences. It is not like the Middle East, he said.
    
But he also asserted that the United States would like the two countries to resolve their differences.
    
He said Pakistan is Washington's strategic partner in its fight against terrorism and India's role in combating the scourge is very important.
    
Burns also expects Indian role in ensuring a democratic set up in Nepal and that Maoists do not get an upper hand in the Himalayan nation. He said India could play a role in resolving the conflict in Sri Lanka also.