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Position on nuke testing not to hinder deal: U. S.

Washington: The United States has said fuel assurances and the issue of nuclear testing will not come in the way of the civilian nuclear deal with India, which it hoped, would be implemented by this year end.

"There is no problem with fuel assurances. President [George W.] Bush provided assurances personally to the Prime Minister of India on the provision of fuel. We had actually codified this — there is no disagreement between India and the United States on fuel assurances that I am aware of," Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

On the issue of India's position on nuclear testing, he said, "we have a right to our respective positions. I don't think this is going to conflict with our ability to complete the 123 agreement."

On finalisation of the bilateral 123 agreement that is under negotiation to operationalise the deal, Mr. Burns said, "the big issues have been resolved and we have crossed the highest marks in these negotiations... we have crossed the biggest issues and they have been decided.

"We will complete the 123 Agreement. India will go on and for sure complete the IAEA safeguards agreement and we will take that to the Nuclear Suppliers' Group [NSG]... " — PTI

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