Date:19/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/19/stories/2008031953431300.htm

National

The ball is in India’s court: IAEA

MUMBAI: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Tuesday that it was close to finalising the text of India-specific safeguards but the ball was in India’s court to ready the civilian nuclear agreement with the United States.

“Both the sides are close to a final text but India has to confirm to the IAEA that there is an agreement on the text,” said IAEA sources. “Until then, there is, in fact, no agreement. So, the ball is in India’s court,” he said.

The ruling Congress-led UPA and Left parties had met on Monday and decided to hold further discussions next month on the draft safeguards agreement with the IAEA. — PTI