No delay in implementation of the nuclear deal: Rao

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Mar 16 (PTI) Implementation of the civil
nuclear deal is "proceeding smoothly and satisfactorily" and
the civil nuclear liability bill is likely to be introduced in
the Parliament after the recess, Indian Foreign Secretary
Nirupama Rao said on Tuesday.
"As far as introduction of the civil nuclear liability
bill in the Parliament is concerned, it is ready for
introduction, and in all likelihood it would be introduced
after the recess," Rao said in response to a question at the
Woodrow Wilson Centre, a Washington-based think-tank.
Terming conclusion of the India-US Civil Nuclear
Agreement in 2008 as "a major definitive milestone in Indo-US
relationship", she said "we are in the process of
operationalising the Agreement through close coordination
between our two Governments."
Referring to Joint Statement issued during Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the US in November last,
Rao said, "the two leaders reiterated their intention to
realise the full potential of the India-US Agreement for
Cooperation concerning the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
through the implementation of its provisions."
"They agreed to expedite US firms' participation in
the implementation of this agreement," she said. PTI LKJ
KAB