Indian-U.S. nuclear deal for IAEA briefing

NEW DELHI, July 18 (UPI) -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's coalition, despite strong domestic opposition, was to brief a U.N. watchdog on the Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear deal.

Getting the "safeguards agreement" from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear energy arm, is a critical next step before the deal can be taken to the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group. The 3-year-old deal then must get U.S. congressional ratification before it becomes effective.

Both India and the Untied States are keen to make the accord operational before U.S. President George Bush leaves office.

The IAEA briefing will deal with India's plans to safeguard its civilian nuclear facilities.

Shyam Saran, Singh's special envoy on the deal, told the Hindustan Times India doesn't anticipate problems in getting the IAEA nod.

Meanwhile, Singh's coalition has come under intense political pressure to prove its parliamentary majority next Tuesday as its leftist partners, bitter critics of the deal, withdrew support.

Despite the threat of losing power, the government has insisted India needs the deal to end its international isolation as a nuclear power and meet its soaring energy needs.

The pact will allow India to get access to U.S. civilian nuclear technology and fuel. In exchange, India must bring only its civilian nuclear sites and not its nuclear weapons facilities under inspection.

Indian officials were to brief the U.N. agency in Vienna, Austria, Friday. U.S. Undersecretary of State William Burns also was expected to be in Vienna, as well.