The Hindu : National : July timeline is realistic, says Nicholas Burns

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July timeline is realistic, says Nicholas Burns

Washington: The Bush administration has said “internal pressure” within India to swiftly move on the civilian nuclear deal is “good” and termed the July timeline for its approval as “realistic.”

“... that is our appreciation of the timeline as well,” Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns said when asked to comment on Senator Joseph Biden’s recent statement in New Delhi that the nuclear deal has to be approved so that it could be taken up in Congress by June and ratified by July.

Mr. Burns said the July timeline put forth by Mr. Biden “is realistic” as the initiative would have to get to Congress before the summer recess.

Answering a question on the civilian nuclear initiative during the interactive session at the Council on Foreign Relations here, Mr. Burns said: “The only way India can emerge from this nuclear isolation is to have this agreement go forward. If this fails, I think it will be several years or many years before another attempt is made.”

He stressed that there was bipartisan support for the deal in Congress and a “very strong majority of countries internationally” are strong supporters of the Nuclear Suppliers Group granting exemption to India.

“So, at some point India will need to decide to go forward...because this will be the symbolic centrepiece of the relationship. It also ends India’s 35 years of isolation in the civilian nuclear field and to be treated fairly and equitably by the international community,” Mr. Burns said.

The top official, who will step down next month but has been asked to continue as the U.S.’ special envoy on the deal, said the India-U.S. ties would continue to remain strong. — PTI

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