NEW DELHI: There's little point in holding another round of talks between India and the United States on implementing the nuclear deal before President George W. Bush arrives here on March 1 if there's no convergence of opinion on the civil-military separation plan presented to the U.S. in December.

According to sources in the Ministry of External Affairs, fresh talks in the joint working group on civil nuclear cooperation could be held only if the Americans recognised that India would not compromise on its strategic nuclear programme.

While there are always possibilities of quiet diplomacy to bridge the gap in the perception between the two sides, proponents of the deal no longer see anything tangible happening before the Bush visit to India.

Of course, the two principals — Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mr. Bush — can discuss the "how" of implementing the deal when they meet during the visit.

The "gung ho" mood surrounding the civil nuclear deal within some official circles has given way to recognising the fact that implementing the agreement, contained in a joint statement issued by the two countries on July 18, 2005, is far from easy.

The uncharacteristically blunt statement emanating from the Atomic Energy Commission chief, Anil Kakodkar, in an interview published on February 6, seems to have changed the equation for and against the separation plan in the Manmohan Singh Government.

As of now, the Government seems to have adopted Dr. Kakodkar's approach on the separation plan.

The Prime Minister himself told Left leaders on Monday that there would be no compromise on India's strategic nuclear capabilities.

"Both from the point of view of maintaining long-term energy security and for maintaining the minimum credible deterrent, the Fast-Breeder Programme just cannot be put on the civilian list. This would amount to India getting shackled ... " Dr. Kakodkar had said in the interview.

According to the MEA sources, talks on implementing the deal could take place before Mr. Bush arrived only if the U.S. veered around to understanding the Indian point of view.

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