PM hopes for early end to IAEA talks

Ahead of a fresh round of talks between India and International Atomic Energy Agency for a safeguards agreement, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said the negotiations are moving forward and hoped that these would be concluded "without loss of further time".

"International discussions do take time," he said at a joint press conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy while replying to a question on delay in firming up the agreement with the global atomic watchdog.

"The discussions are moving forward," Dr Singh said, adding, "It is my sincere hope that the discussions can be concluded without loss of further time."

The comments came as the two sides prepared to hold another round of discussions, possibly next week, to thrash out the agreement.

The last round of talks was held past weekend without any result. The agreement has failed to come through because of persisting differences over India's right to build strategic fuel reserve and corrective measures that will be required if the fuel supply is stopped because of any circumstance.

India also wants acceptance of its separation plan by the IAEA.

The agreement, which is a follow-up to the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, is a crucial step for allowing the international community to have civil nuclear trade with India.

Many countries, including France, are keen to have civil nuclear cooperation with New Delhi, but are awaiting the finalisation of the India-IAEA safeguards agreement.