On the eve of his visit to New Delhi, United States Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns has said that with India voting in favour of the International Atomic Energy Agency resolution on Iran's nuclear programme, Congressional opposition to the Indo-US nuclear agreement has disappeared and both sides would meet their commitments before President George W Bush visits India next year.
"By the time Bush visits India in early winter 2006, you will see both meet our commitments and then the President and Prime Minister will be in a position to put this agreement into effect," Burns told the Asia Society.
Washington has contended that the nuclear agreement is not a scheme for immediate implementation, since both sides have to take certain steps.
India has agreed to separate its nuclear and military facilities, which would take time and the US has to change domestic laws to resume nuclear supplies to Indian reactors.
"My trip to New Delhi," Burns said, "is to focus on agreement on a timetable that will lead to decisions in the United States Congress to change our law and ultimate decision of the Indian government to meet their commitments."
He said that in the negotiations between him and Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, they knew it was a very complex piece of work and it will take time to implement.
During his visit, bilateral official consultations (Asian Security Dialogue) will be held on October 21 and 22. The Indian side will be led by Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran.
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