Date:18/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/18/stories/2008081860291200.htm

National

U.S. official postpones visit

New Delhi: United States’ Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns’ postponement of his India visit was due to his likely travel to Georgia in view of the crisis there, informed sources said.

During his proposed visit, Mr. Burns was scheduled to meet Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon to discuss coordination for the NSG meeting in Vienna on August 21-22 on the issue of waiver for India.

The fresh date for the U.S. official’s visit is yet to be decided but it is likely that he may come later this month or early next month.

Mr. Burns is an expert on Eurasia affairs.

India and the U.S. are engaged in massive lobbying campaigns to convince all 45 members of the NSG to vouch for waiver for India to allow the country to have civil nuclear trade with the international community. — PTI