New Delhi, May 18
Emphasising that serious negotiations are on between India and US to implement the civilian nuclear deal between the two countries, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today hoped that the two sides would be able to eventually clinch the 123 bilateral agreement.

"I am hopeful. We are in for serious negotiations. Talks are going on," the Prime Minister observed here at Rashtrapati Bhavan after the induction of a new minister from Tamil Nadu in his council of ministers.

Dr Singh was responding to questions by mediapersons about the possible roadblocks in finalising the 123 agreement paving the way for the resumption of civilian nuclear cooperation between the two countries after a hiatus of three decades.

The sudden postponement of U S Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns visit to this country scheduled for next week has led to speculation about the problems connected with finalising the 123 agreement.

Even though it is believed that Burns will visit India only to seal the 123 agreement after certain critical issues are sorted out, it is apparent the two sides are trying to sort out differences over New Delhi's right to testing and ensuring access to reprocessing technology and Washington's insistence on the right of return of nuclear fuel and equipment in the event of India conducting a nuclear test.

The external affairs ministry said yesterday that "no particular date has been finalised" for Burns visit to New Delhi for talks with foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon to sort out some remaining issues. "We are in the process of exchanging suggestions and examining them," the ministry said.

In a letter to the members of the American Congress, a group of non-proliferation advocates asked them to reject the deal if it does not explicitly meet all the requirements outlined in the US law for civil nuclear cooperation. The letter has been signed by the known critics of the proposed Indo-US civilian nuclear deal.

Earlier this month, U S President George Bush had telephoned Dr Singh to give an added impetus to the 123 agreement before the two leaders meet on the sidelines of the G8 summit in Germany next month. The State Department had said in Washington yesterday that “we would like to it (the 123 agreement) sooner than later but these are important issues. They are important issues for us. They are important issues for India.”