NEW DELHI, May 2 (UPI) -- India fears the shape of the landmark civilian nuclear deal with the United States may change if it is not passed by U.S. Congress by late July.
The Hindu newspaper said Tuesday that senior government officials said that in such a scenario, India would find it difficult to agree to the additional conditions that are likely to be added by Congress in case the agreement doesn't get legislative approval.
"The Bush administration has been doing its bit to push the deal through Congress, but it is not clear when the agreement would clear the legislative hurdles," said an unidentified senior official of the Indian Foreign Office.
He said senior Western diplomats share the Foreign Ministry's assessment.
"With the Nuclear Suppliers Group set to take its cue from what happens in the Congress, the action of the American legislative branch becomes more crucial," a diplomat told the newspaper.
