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Frank exchanges on nuclear deal

WASHINGTON: A high-level Indian delegation, led by National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan, currently in the United States to iron out differences over the implementation of the Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear deal, held talks with senior American functionaries on bilateral defence cooperation and regional security issues.

The U.S. side was led by Secretary of State for Defence Robert Gates. The Indian delegation included Indian Ambasador to the United States Ronen Sen, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon, Deputy Chief of the Indian Mission here, Raminder Singh Jassal, and Joint Secretary of the Americas in the Ministry of External Affairs Gaitri Kumar.

While the precise nature of talks on Monday night was not divulged, sources said the two sides exchanged views frankly.

The Indian delegation will be in Washington for four days. It is expected to have sensitive and critical exchanges with its American counterparts focussing primarily on the civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, especially the nailing down of the 123 Agreement.

Members of the delegation, collectively and individually, will meet senior officials of the Bush administration on issues pertaining to the broader aspects of the bilateral relationship as well. “There is more to India-United States relations than the civilian nuclear agreement,” remarked a source when asked for the rationale of the top Indian delegation meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Defence.

The crux of the meetings on the civilian nuclear deal will start at the State Department. The Indian Foreign Secretary and his delegation will meet the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns to sort out the differences on the 123 accord. PTI

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