WASHINGTON - A U.S. nuclear deal with India may be in danger of collapsing after India made a series of demands that contradict the Bush administration's goals for the pact.
President Bush told Congress last year before a bill was passed to authorize the deal that the agreement would prevent a nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan and halt the spread of nuclear weapons. However, India is now demanding as part of the deal that it be allowed to continue nuclear testing and continue to increase nuclear capabilities, USA Today reported Thursday.
"I don't question India's goodwill," said Nicholas Burns, the undersecretary of state who supervised negotiations. "But there is a fair degree of frustration in Washington that the Indian government has not engaged seriously enough or quickly enough with both the United States and the IAEA," the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Burns said three rounds of talks with India have resulted in very little progress.
Two administration officials speaking anonymously said India's demands could mean an end to the deal, despite the fact that it has no set deadline for completion.
Copyright © 2007, by United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
