Only a few things to be settled in Indo-US nuclear deal implementation: US

The US today said that only a "few" things were left in the implementation of Indo-US civil nuclear pact and they will be settled.

However, refusing to comment on the present crisis over the civil nuclear liability bill in the Parliament, US ambassador to India Timothy Roemer said, "I deeply respect the sanctity and independence of the Indian Parliament."

He expressed optimism that the process will happen, though it may take "a month or a few months".

Observing that a lot of accomplishments have taken place in past few months including finalisation of the fuel reprocessing pact and allocation of sites in India for US plants, Roemer said there were "few things to be settled and they will be settled."

India and the US inked a civilian nuclear deal in July 2007, and finally formalised it on March 1, 2008.

However, establishment of a mechanism to take care of the liability aspect is seen as a crucial factor for entry of firms such as General Electric Co and Westinghouse Electric Co to set up plants in the country.

Government had to defer introduction of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill in the Lok Sabha at the last moment on March 15 after opposition BJP raised questions over its Constitutional validity.

The fate of the bill, which has been criticised by a united opposition, has been hanging in limbo with the government yet to take a decision on its introduction in Parliament.