New Delhi: The US on Monday said that only a
"few" things were left in the implementation of Indo-US civil
nuclear pact and they will be settled.
However, refusing to comment on the present crisis over
the civil nuclear liability bill in the Parliament, US
Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer said "I deeply respect the
sanctity and independence of the Indian Parliament."
He expressed optimism that the process will happen,
though it may take "a month or a few months".
Observing that a lot of accomplishments have taken place
in past few months including finalisation of the fuel
reprocessing pact and allocation of sites in India for US
plants, Roemer said there were "few things to be settled and
they will be settled."
India and the United States inked a civilian nuclear deal
in July 2007, and finally formalised it on March 1, 2008.
However, establishment of a mechanism to take care the
liability aspect is seen as a crucial factor for entry of
firms such as General Electric Co and Westinghouse Electric Co
to set up plants in the country.
Government had to defer introduction of the Civil
Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill in the Lok Sabha at the last
moment on March 15 after opposition BJP raised questions over
its Constitutional validity.
The fate of the Bill, which has been criticised by a
united Opposition, has been hanging in limbo with the
government yet to take a decision on its introduction in
Parliament.
PTI
First Published: Monday, April 19, 2010, 21:38