India, US trying hard to salvage N-deal
The 123 negotiations enter third day, but no one is ready to put a time frame.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: The 123 negotiations between the US and India spilled over to the third day even as it became apparent that the two sides are now engaged in a last-ditch attempt to salvage the deal that has been stuck over a few key issues.
National Security Advisor MK Narayanan, along with foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon, on Thursday held detailed talks with US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley indicating that the preliminary round of discussions might not have brought about the much-needed breakthrough. Mr Narayanan is also to meet US vice-president Dick Cheney in Washington.
This is turning out to be the strongest push made by both countries to solve the issue of reprocessing rights and India’s voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing. Both sides have expressed confidence in the negotiators to close the gap in the 123 agreement. Officials here remained optimistic that differences would be sorted out, but were unwilling to put a time frame on it.
The Bush administration also agreed with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement that this is the last leg of the negotiations. Mr Singh on Wednesday had refused to put a timetable on the negotiations and said the negotiations were in the last leg.
Washington said a preliminary round of discussions was held on Wednesday, but that the two sides would have a better idea of the negotiations after further discussions.
State department spokesperson Sean McCormack was quoted as saying: “The US has expressed its commitment and expressed its desire to reach an agreement. And we’re sure that the Indian government wants to reach an agreement. The question is a matter of when and the timing of it.”
These rounds of negotiations had started on Tuesday with talks between delegations led by foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon and US under secretary of state for political affairs Nicholas Burns.
The key remaining issues include converting India’s voluntary moratorium on testing into a legal requirement and a right to return clause which would force India to return nuclear material in case of a nuclear test.
But this round of negotiations is critical as time is running out for the civilian nuclear deal. The Bush administration said both sides would make a push to finalise the 123 agreement.
National Security Advisor MK Narayanan, along with foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon, on Thursday held detailed talks with US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley indicating that the preliminary round of discussions might not have brought about the much-needed breakthrough. Mr Narayanan is also to meet US vice-president Dick Cheney in Washington.
This is turning out to be the strongest push made by both countries to solve the issue of reprocessing rights and India’s voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing. Both sides have expressed confidence in the negotiators to close the gap in the 123 agreement. Officials here remained optimistic that differences would be sorted out, but were unwilling to put a time frame on it.
The Bush administration also agreed with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement that this is the last leg of the negotiations. Mr Singh on Wednesday had refused to put a timetable on the negotiations and said the negotiations were in the last leg.
Washington said a preliminary round of discussions was held on Wednesday, but that the two sides would have a better idea of the negotiations after further discussions.
State department spokesperson Sean McCormack was quoted as saying: “The US has expressed its commitment and expressed its desire to reach an agreement. And we’re sure that the Indian government wants to reach an agreement. The question is a matter of when and the timing of it.”
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These rounds of negotiations had started on Tuesday with talks between delegations led by foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon and US under secretary of state for political affairs Nicholas Burns.
The key remaining issues include converting India’s voluntary moratorium on testing into a legal requirement and a right to return clause which would force India to return nuclear material in case of a nuclear test.
But this round of negotiations is critical as time is running out for the civilian nuclear deal. The Bush administration said both sides would make a push to finalise the 123 agreement.
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