Washington and New Delhi are close to finalizing the terms of their agreement that would allow India's civilian nuclear sector to receive nuclear materials and technology from the United States, the Hindu newspaper reported yesterday (see GSN, Nov. 17).
U.S. Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer said he hoped the two nations would work out remaining issues on the trade deal during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's four-day visit to the United States that begins tomorrow.
Remaining to be worked out, Roemer said, are Indian reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, licensing agreements and the passage by New Delhi of a liability bill.
"We are optimistic that all these issues will be resolved soon. We are pushing hard," Roemer said.
Washington has already requested that nuclear-armed New Delhi deliver a written nonproliferation "assurance" as part of the agreement. India has said it feels that language in the nuclear trade agreement already does the job of banning potential proliferation activities.
Finally opening the door for nuclear trade "is a win-win situation for both of us," Roemer said. It would allow the two nations to move on to "four or five big global issues," he added.
U.S. President Barack Obama and Singh are expected to discuss terrorism in Pakistan during their meetings next week. The two countries already regularly share intelligence, Roemer said (The Hindu, Nov. 19).