Saran holds talks with Burns on nuclear deal

Amidst concerns by India over certain aspects of a proposed agreement to operationalise the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's special envoy Shyam Saran held talks with the Bush administration's pointsman for the nuclear initiative Nicholas Burns to remove obstacles on way of implementation of the historic pact.

Saran had an extensive meeting Thursday with Burns, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, and discussed, among other things, conceptual issues that have a bearing or impact on the 123 Agreement that is being currently negotiated between India and the United States.

Part of the focus of the current discussions is also on the "next steps" that are involved in the civilian nuclear initiative such as status of India's negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency on India-specific safeguards and the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Saran will continue his discussions Friday with senior officials of the Bush administration, including National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley at the White House, on the civilian nuclear deal especially as it pertains to "taking stock" since the passage of the legislation and the signing into law last December.

As a part of his visit, the former Foreign Secretary will also exchange views with former senior officials of Republican and Democratic administrations who are either currently in the private sector, in universities or think tanks.