US Senate hearing on Nucler deal kicks off

WASHINGTON: The powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee tonight kicked off a crucial hearing on the Indo-US nuclear deal with Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns as the principal witness, marking the launch of the final countdown in the passage of the historic accord.

'The Agreement for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation with India' is being presided over by Senior Democratic Senator Christopher Dodd in the absence of the Committee Chairman Joseph Biden, who is the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and currently hitting the campaign trail.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee's hearing is expected to reflect the moods of lawmakers on the civilian nuclear initiative with India.

Acting Under Secretary for Arms Control Affairs John Rood is also participating in the hearing.