India on Friday said there were several complex issues in the Indo-US civil nuclear deal that need to be thrashed out and hoped US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman's current visit to the country will pave the way for the smooth conduct of talks aimed at implementing the pact.
"We have to go through fairly elaborate and complex discussions with the US and the visit of the energy secretary is important at this juncture to enable us to discuss several issues which are important to open up future civilian nuclear cooperation," Department of Atomic Energy Secretary Anil Kakodkar said in Mumbai.
Kakodkar's comments were part of his opening remarks before a closed door meeting between Bodman and Indian industrialists organised by industry chamber FICCI.
In his speech, Bodman acknowledged the world-class character of India's nuclear industry and said the US wanted to build energy relations with the country's private sector and academia.
He said India has indepenently built up its nuclear power programme without external help and this would be advantageous for the world community in promoting non-prolifieration.
Both countries recognise the importance of nuclear energy and cooperation in this sphere would provide an opportunity for India to make significant contributions in the nuclear arena, Bodman observed.
However, both Kakodkar and Bodman did not touch on the contours of key talks on the civil nuclear deal beginning next week.
Bodman also visited the Tarapur atomic power station and toured two US-built plants and those constructed with indigenous technology. He was accompanied by Kakodkar and Nuclear Power Corporation Chief S K Jain.