The Hindu Business Line : Go for tough choices to conclude nuke deal, says US

WASHINGTON: Amidst uncertainties looming over the fate of Indo-US nuclear agreement, the US has asked India to go for some "tough choices'' in making the deal a possibility. ''... President Bush pressed for the civilian nuclear agreement with India agai nst strong opposition because he's committed to our long-term strategic partnership. Now, India needs to make some tough choices,'' Commerce Sectary Carlos Gutierrez has said.

Noting that rising demand of energy cannot be ignored, he expressed hope that India will quickly move forward to fully realise the potential of this historic agreement. ''... rising demand for energy is an issue that our countries can't ignore. We belie ve it's essential to quickly implement the landmark civilian nuclear agreement and bring India into the international nuclear nonproliferation mainstream,'' he said at United States India Business Council (USIBC) 33rd Anniversary celebrations here.

The United States remains committed to being India's partner in providing clean, sustainable energy. While this includes nuclear power, it also means using other clean energy technologies, he added.

The Commerce Minister, Mr Kamal Nath had said that the Indo-US nuclear deal has not been shelved and the Indian government is moving forward to evolve a political consensus within the country. "We are moving toward a political consensus inch by inch. I don't think it has been put away and I am confident that at some point we are going to arrive at this political consensus within India and that's the best way to do it,'' he said. - PTI

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