Talks with IAEA progressing well: Kakodkar

Discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the Indo-US nuclear deal were progressing well, Anil Kakodkar, chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), said today.

"Discussions are progressing...There are complex issues involved that have to be taken forward step-by-step," Kakodkar added.

Asked how soon the talks were expected to be finalised, he said: "We would like to do it as fast as possible but we have to see that India's requirements are met properly."

Kakodkar refused to comment on whether the elections in the US in November, which could signal a change in the White House, would put the deal on the back-burner. "I am a technical person... I do not want to comment on it," he said.

India and IAEA have held four rounds of talks since November last apart from several informal consultations to work out a new template on safeguards specifically meant for India - a key requirement before the agreement comes into force.