US State Secy says time running out for N-Deal

BIG DEAL: Boucher said both governments were committed to taking the deal forward.

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New Delhi: American diplomats have been sending signals on the Indo-US Nuclear deal to the Indian Government.

Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State, Richard Boucher has warned that time is running out for the nuclear deal.

Boucher said the nuclear deal, complete with the IAEA safeguards agreement and NSG approval, must reach the US Congress latest by June.

That will give Congress enough time to schedule it for approval in July.

Boucher who met senior MEA officials on Tuesday said both governments were committed to taking the deal forward. He described the deal as good for India and also clarified that the Hyde Act is a US domestic legislation.

"We are waiting for the Indian Government to conclude talks with the IAEA. We have deadlines. Let's do it fast and move forward. We want to get this thing done," Boucher said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said his Government will seek the broadest possible consensus for the nuclear deal.

"The deal is to maximise the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. We are engaged in negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency for India an specific safeguards agreement and we also want to seek the broadest possible consensus."