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Indo-US N-talks reach 'decisive phase'

Talks between India and the United States reached a ''decisive phase'' today with senior officials of the two countries discussing nuclear-related issues, including export controls, according to official sources.

Alok Prasad, joint secretary in the external affairs ministry, led the Indian delegation at the two-day talks while the US team was headed by deputy assistant secretary of state John Barker. The two sides included representatives from their respective commerce, energy, defence and foreign ministries.

The sources said the talks were also aimed at doing the groundwork for the next round of meeting between prime minister's special envoy Jaswant Singh and US deputy secretary of state Strobe Talbott in Rome later this month.

The talks between the two countries are being held just two days after US President Bill Clinton announced a waiver of some of the sanctions imposed on India after its nuclear tests in May.

This is the first occasion when the two countries are having intense negotiations on the entire gamut of nuclear issues after the Pokhran nuclear tests. The US side will leave for Islamabad at the end of the talks in New Delhi.

UNI

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