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Saran meets Burns to discuss N-deal
The meet is expected to sort out the sticky issues around the Indo-US deal and enable both sides to move forward.
In an effort to know first hand the progress made to get the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal passed by US Congress, Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran met American Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns on Thursday.
Saran and Burns met at the India House. Both flew in on Wednesday - Burns from Washington and Saran from New Delhi.
The meeting is expected to sort out some of the sticky issues around the agreement and enable both sides to find a formula to move the deal forward.
Both Saran and Burns are expected to exchange notes and discuss the latest development on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) that was presented at Geneva Disarmament Conference last week.
Their talks assume importance as they come before the Nuclear Suppliers Group's meeting in Rio de Janeiro on May 29 to discuss the exemption for India in its plenary.
Both the US and Indian governments remain committed to the agreement despite facing flak from the opponents of the deal.
The two officials would also decide when the negotiating teams will meet. These meetings would add to the details that may help bring the India-specific legislation to vote by next month end.
