Bangalore, February 17: The US today said Indian parliament needs to act upon the “critical” nuclear liability bill to take forward the Indo-American nuclear deal which had reached “almost the finishing line”.
US Ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer said there were “a couple of small issues we have to resolve” but replied in the negative, when asked if the deal had hit a road-block.
“Liability bill first and foremost.That’s critical…that’s something (Indian) Parliament needs to act upon,” he said, expressing hope this “very helpful, very important legislation for America and for India” would be passed in the next session.
“We are very hopeful, I am an optimist that this (bill) will get through in the next session of Parliament,” he said.
Roemer said both countries were “very close” to the completion of reprocessing agreement. “We are very close.
–Agencies