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US senator hints at civil N-deal with Pak
By arrangement with The Dawn

Islamabad, April 14
The United States may sign a civil nuclear agreement with Pakistan in future, visiting US Senator Chuck Hagel said on Thursday. Speaking at a press briefing here after meeting President Pervez Musharraf and Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, he said energy helped a lot in countering socio-economic challenges.

Mr Hagel said that Pakistani leaders had raised the issue during talks with him. He said it was a complicated issue and a responsible approach should be adopted to work out a solution of such issues.

He said the United States attached importance to its ties with India, but stressed that the US-India nuclear deal must not be viewed by Pakistan and China or any other country as a step towards minimising relations with them.

He pointed out that the agreement with India was yet to be examined and approved by the US Congress which would require an extensive discussion.