Reprocessing agreement to meet its Aug 2010 deadline: US

Last Updated: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 23:27

Tags: Reprocessing agreement, Aug 2010 deadline

Washington: The reprocessing agreement currently being negotiated between India and America under the civil nuclear deal will meet its August 2010 deadline, the United States has said.

The assurance came from the State Department as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here that problems with United States on the civil nuclear deal are "minor" and can be resolved in a couple of weeks.

"The United States is confident that the arrangements and procedures will be concluded well in advance of the August 2010 deadline," the State Department said in response to a question at a media briefing.

US President Barack Obama and Singh discussed their mutual commitment to implementing the US-India civil nuclear cooperation initiative during their talks here on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister said at a press conference yesterday that Washington gave an assurance that it remains committed to the early implementation of the deal.

"We have had a very good discussion at the highest levels. I have been assured by the US leadership that the USA remains committed to the early implementation of the civil nuclear agreement.

"There are minor problems with regard to the reprocessing (of the spent) fuel under the 123 agreement. I think there are no insurmountable problems. I am confident that in the next couple of weeks we can sort out issues," Singh had said.

PTI

First Published: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 23:27