US ambassador calls on BJP president to discuss nuclear bill

US ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer today called on BJP President Nitin Gadkari and is understood to have discussed the Nuclear Liability bill which is being opposed by the party.

Sources said Roemer called on Gadkari to discuss the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill and allay apprehensions expressed by BJP about the proposed legislation.

BJP is opposing the Bill as it feels the legislation is aimed at facilitating the entry of private players including US multinationals. It has accused the government of acting under US pressure to pass this legislation.

However, both sides maintained that today's meeting was a courtesy call by the US envoy after Gadkari took over as
president of the main opposition party.
  
Other aspects of Indo-US relations, including the Civilian Nuclear Deal signed between the two countries, are also understood to have been discussed.

"The US ambassador had sought this meeting to reach out to the new BJP president," a source said. 

Gadkari himself said he discussed Hindutva - BJP's core philosophy - with Roemer.