India-IAEA pact close, but U.S. nuclear deal clouded

NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India is close to finalising the text for an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, but may fail to save a nuclear deal between New Delhi and Washington that remains clouded in political uncertainty.

The nod of the IAEA is among several mandatory clearances required for the contentious India-U.S. nuclear pact that will give India access to American nuclear fuel and technology.


Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said talks had concluded with the IAEA and an agreement could be reached.

A source familiar with the India-IAEA talks in Vienna said a final text was close, but India still needed to confirm that there is an agreement on the text.

“Until then there is in fact no agreement,” the source said on Sunday.

India’s confirmation has been held up because the communist allies of the government oppose the nuclear deal, threatening to bring down the coalition government if it went ahead.

Reuters