Completion of nuclear deal urged

NEW DELHI, May 6 (UPI) -- The Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear deal will face "political uncertainty" if it isn't completed during the Bush presidency, an Indian official warned Tuesday.

Speaking to the Women's Press Corps in New Delhi, Shyam Saran, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's special envoy on the issue, said the Indian government has a commitment to the deal, the Press Trust of India reported.

The nuclear deal would allow India to get civilian nuclear technology and fuel from the United States, ending India's isolation from other nuclear powers and meeting India's growing power demand.

But Singh's government has watched the deal languish because of continued strong opposition from leftist parties in his ruling coalition.

Saran said the agreement would face more uncertainty once a new U.S. leadership takes over from U.S. President George Bush.

"This government has a commitment to the agreement and every effort possible will be made to see the deal through," Saran was quoted as saying.

"Obviously, the sooner we have the deal, the better. As the process continues, the world is not standing still. The level of political uncertainty will increase. Therefore, it is in our interest to get it through sooner than later."