US steers clear of political stand-off in India over N-deal

The US has said it is committed to working with New Delhi for the success of the agreement which will not be renegotiated.

Choosing to steer clear of the ongoing political churning in India over the civilian nuclear deal, the US has said it was committed to working with New Delhi for the success of the agreement which will not be renegotiated.

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"... My understanding is that the Indian government is working through the issues internally. Obviously, we would have no comment on that. That is an issue for them to decide" State Department's Acting Spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said in Washington.

He said the Bush Administration was working with the Congress here to move towards this agreement.

"And we will continue that effort. We believe that this is an opportunity for India to have access to cheap electrical -- low- cost electrical power, and an opportunity for the people to have economic development beyond their capacities at this point. So we're working our side of the issue here. The Indian government is working their side," Gallegos said last evening.

"And we're committed to, hopefully, coming together and succeeding in this" he added.

The spokesman was asked if the United States is looking at renegotiating the agreement.

" No. I'm not looking to change any policy on that issue from this podium today....Or most likely the rest of this week," Gallegos said.