Manmohan, Bush discuss n-deal progress

PM on Monday talks to President George W Bush and tells him that there were difficulties in operationalising the deal.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George W Bush discussed a range of issues, including the progress on the India-US nuclear deal, in their telephonic conversation on Monday night.

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Bush sought India's support for the early and successful conclusion of the Doha round of multilateral trade talks, an official source told IANS in Abuja.

Earlier, Nalin Surie, secretary (west) in the external affairs ministry, told journalists accompanying Manmohan Singh on the Nigeria visit: "The prime minister is scheduled to speak to Bush. We can't comment on the subject of their discussions."

Bush's call to Manmohan Singh comes at a time when the uncertainty over the nuclear deal is growing following the opposition to it from the Indian government's Left allies.

The prime minister and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday ruled out early elections and hinted that they would not risk the survival of the government for the deal.