Washington, March 29
On a visit to push forward the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran today began discussions with the Bush administration on next steps on the agreement clinched earlier this month.Saran, who arrived here last evening, held talks with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns and other State Department officials over lunch. Earlier, they met at a dinner hosted by Burns last night.
A senior Bush administration official has said that several lawmakers have a number of questions on the deal and want more details about it.
During his three-day stay here, Saran will be calling on various lawmakers separately to present India’s case. Seeking to dispel their apprehensions, he is expected to highlight New Delhi’s impeccable record on the non-proliferation front.
He will meet lawmakers who have been supportive of the deal and members of the India Caucuses in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The deal, which was clinched on March 2, is required to be endorsed by the US Congress and hearings on a legislation in this regard have already begun.
Saran is also scheduled to meet Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Under Secretary of State for Non-Proliferation and International Security Robert Joseph and Under Secretary for Global Affairs Paula
Dobriansky. — PTI
