Date:20/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/20/stories/2008092055901200.htm

National

“Strong desire” to get deal approved

Washington: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has indicated a “strong desire” among the top lawmakers to get the India-U.S. civilian nuclear deal approved during the current Congress session ending on September 26.

“I think like the evidence in the past, there is a strong desire to reach an agreement given the importance of this,” acting chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Christopher Dodd said.

“Of course some members have reservations. There is an opportunity to express and ask colleagues to approve or disapprove the idea. As the acting chairman of this committee, I want to ask my colleagues and members to do that,” the Connecticut Senator said.

Mr. Dodd presided over the panel on Thursday in the absence of Senator Joe Biden who is currently in the campaign trail by virtue of being the Democratic party’s Vice Presidential nominee. — PTI