PM-Obama talks to focus on nuke liability bill, Pak, Afghan

Ajay Kaul
Washington, Apr 11 (PTI) The controversial nuclear
liability bill, US arms supplies to Pakistan and situation in
Afghanistan are expected to figure prominently at the meeting
India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will have with President
Barack Obama here.
Singh, who is here on a four-day visit to attend the
April 12-13 Nuclear Security Summit, will hold talks with
Obama at Blair House Sunday night, their second meeting in
four months. They had last met here on November 24 during
Singh's State Visit.
The Prime Minister is expected to inform Obama that the
nuclear liability bill is going through democratic processes
in India and he hopes it to be passed by Indian Parliament at
the earliest, sources said.
The Civil Nuclear Liability Bill, whose passage is
crucial for implementation of the historic Indo-US nuclear
deal, has got caught in a political quagmire with opposition
parties strongly objecting to certain aspects of the proposed
legislation.
The opposition parties are particularly opposed to the
provision of Rs 500 crore 'cap' on damages to be paid by the
operator in case of a nuclear accident.
The government has indicated that it is willing to
consider changes, including changing the nomenclature of 'cap'
to 'norm' but wants the bill to be referred to the Standing
Committee of Parliament.
Singh is also expected to convey to the US President
India's apprehensions over the end-use of military aid given
by America to Pakistan, sources said. India has been
maintaining that the military supplies and monetary aid given
by the US are often used by Pakistan against Indian interests.
The two leaders will also discuss the situation in
Afghanistan in the backdrop of the new Afghan-Pakistan
strategy unveiled by Obama a few months back. Singh is
expected to underline that India would continue to play its
role there as it has vital stakes involved. (More) PTI