India, U.S. fail to clear obstacles to nuclear pact: report

India and the United States failed to resolve their differences during three days of talks aimed at sealing a civilian nuclear deal that has become a touchstone of the growing friendship between the two countries, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

India objects to clauses in the proposed deal that it says could limit its nuclear-weapons program, said the report, adding that one of the biggest sticking points is a clause that would let the U.S. halt cooperation if India tests a nuclear weapon.

Some in India also fear the deal could limit the country's right to reprocess spent atomic fuel -- a key step in making weapons-grade nuclear material -- and thus hamper its weapons program, according to the report.

The two sides agreed to meet again, though they are yet to set a date. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to discuss the nuclear deal with U.S. President George W. Bush when they meet on the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit in Germany this week.

The nuclear pact between Washington and New Delhi aims to allow sales of U.S. nuclear equipment and fuel to India in exchange for safeguards and United Nations inspections at India's 14 civilian nuclear plants.

That would overturn a three-decade ban on such trade with New Delhi, which has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has tested nuclear weapons, said the report.

Source: Xinhua