Experts unsure of N-deal revival

NEW DELHI: With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh finally informing President George Bush about “certain difficulties” which have come up against making the Indo-US nuclear deal operational, the agreement has been put on deep freeze for the time being. The Bush administration had been kept informed at every stage by New Delhi about the developments.

Though there is a disappointment in the Bush administration, it said: “It’s up to the government of India to talk about their efforts”. New York Democrat Gary Ackerman said: “Do not let the radical view hijack what is in your nation’s best interest I say to my American and Indian friends. For progress to be made, courage needs to be shown.”

Is there a way to save the deal now? Even the most ardent supporters of the pact are sceptical. “Perhaps another day and another government can work on it and retrieve it but not now and not the current coalition,’’ says analyst K Subrahmanyam.

Analyst Bharat Karnad of the Centre for Policy Research is happy at the turn of events. “The deal is 80% dead, however, there is still a tiny door of opportunity,’’ he said.

Jasjit Singh, former director of the IDSA, says: ``The deal will go through, perhaps not according to the timetable set by the Bush administration, but at the time of India’s choice.’’