NEW DELHI: If India made a clear delineation between civil and military nuclear facilities, the U.S. Congress could pass legislation to allow civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries, visiting American Congressman Dan Burton has said.

Deal discussed

According to him, India would have to first separate its civil and military nuclear facilities for the U.S. Congress to make any changes in American domestic law. Mr. Burton, who has come as head of a bipartisan Congress delegation, said he had discussed the July 18 civil nuclear agreement with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Asked if he had shed his image of "India-baiter," Mr. Burton said he had always spoken out against human rights violations ever since entering the U.S. Congress 23 years ago.

Khalistan was an issue that Dr. Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf should work on, he said.

Answering questions at the residence of U.S. Ambassador David Mulford, he expressed concern over rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir. But, he said there had been a reduction in instances of "gang rape and torture" by Indian security forces.

Pat for Musharraf

On the recent terrorist attacks in India, Mr. Burton said he would broach the issue with Gen. Musharraf in Pakistan. Gen. Musharraf was a "stalwart" in the war against terrorism and wanted to end it, he said.

He refused to comment when asked whether he felt there should be any redrawing of boundaries to settle the Kashmir issue.

India and Pakistan were engaged in trying to resolve this question, he said.

Pointing out that Dr. Singh and Gen. Musharraf were discussing the Kashmir issue, Mr. Burton said a long-lasting solution was a must because otherwise the possibility of violence would remain.

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