US to proceed with N-deal once India's trust vote is over

WASHINGTON - With the Congress-led government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh facing a crucial trust vote in the Lok Sabha, the United States has said it will do all it can to move forward on the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal once New Delhi decides. "My understanding is there may be a vote (of confidence), so I guess well have to wait and see where we go with this," Acting State Department Spokesman Gonzala Gallegos told the regular news briefing. "...This is a pretty unique agreement important for us. Indians have to decide whether or not they wish to proceed with this agreement. We have said that we continue to support it, and we'll do all we can to move forward with it once we hear from the Indians," he said. "What we have stated is that this is an important agreement to us. We believe it's an important agreement for India," Gallegos said. But "Indians have to decide whether or not they wish to proceed with this agreement." "We have said that we continue to support it, and we'll do all we can to move forward with it once we hear from the Indians," he added. The US official, however, declined to make further comments saying, "I'll be here tomorrow same time (after the trial of strength in the Indian parliament)."

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt