Remaining steps of N-deal may be completed in few months: US

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Feb 20 (PTI) Describing the Indo-US civilian
nuclear deal as a game changer for bilateral ties, the Obama
Administration has said the remaining steps of the historic
accord are expected to be completed in the next few months.
"The civil nuclear deal turned probably our most
significant irritant in bilateral relations into an
opportunity for cooperation. This has the potential to lead to
billions of dollars worth of opportunities for American
companies, and many thousands of jobs as a result of that,"
Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia,
Robert Blake, said.
"A few more steps are still required, and we expect them
to be completed in the next few months," he said on Friday,
addressing the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, while
terming the nuclear deal as an important milestone in ties.
The area of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament is a
field where there is a very different and more positive
dynamic between the countries as a result of the civil nuclear
deal, he said.
"Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh also shares the (US)
President's far-reaching vision for a nuclear weapons-free
world. Our broader challenge is to strengthen the global
non-proliferation system and I think this is an area where the
United States and India can work more closely as partners," he
said. (More) PTI