NEW DELHI: The Government on Wednesday made it clear that the bilateral agreement to operationalise the nuclear deal with the U.S would be finalised only within the framework and parameters of the agreement reached between the countries on July 18, 2005 and the Separation Plan of March 2, 2006.

The 123 Agreement will also have to adhere to commitments made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the floor of the House, Union External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Lok Sabha during Question Hour. He denied reports in a section of the media that the deal was in "jeopardy."

The statement comes just before U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns is expected to arrive here next week for talks with Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon to iron out the remaining issues to work out the agreement.

Refuting allegations of deviation from the two accords, Mr. Mukherjee said the two sides were continuing discussions with a view to finalising the bilateral cooperation agreement in nuclear energy.

Several rounds of discussions have taken place and statements and joint statements of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and U.S. President George Bush have been laid on the table of the House, he said.

Mentioning an article in the U.S. Financial Times last month, Mr. Mukherjee quoted Mr. Burns as saying "we are disappointed with the pace and seriousness of the civil nuclear negotiations with India. It is time to accelerate our efforts to achieve a final deal."

The Washington Post of April 20, 2007 has also quoted Mr. Burns as saying "there is a strong sense of frustration in Washington, in the Administration as well as in Congress, about the fact that the Indian side has progressed so slowly in this effort."

Subsequently on May 1, 2007, after the fourth round of negotiations, the State Department stated "the discussions were positive and the U.S. is encouraged by the extensive progress made on the issue," the Minister said.

In response to another question, Mr. Mukherjee said the joint statement of July 18, 2005 commits the U.S. to work with its friends and allies to adjust international regimes to enable full civil nuclear energy cooperation and trade with India. He said the Government has also taken steps to seek the support of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

"The issue of an India-specific exemption to the NSG guidelines has also been taken up at political levels during visits abroad as well as incoming visits. As a result of these efforts, several important NSG countries like the U.K., France and Russia have expressed understanding for our position," he said in a written reply.

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