Nicholas R. Burns, US Under Secretary for Political Affairs and chief negotiator for the Indo-US nuclear deal, is considered among the best and the sharpest. The man who shepherded the Indo-US nuclear agreement through the thickets of American politics spoke to Seema Sirohi from Washington:
How do you react to Indian critics who say the nuclear deal is a sellout?
Some in India are demanding that it be renegotiated.
How do you respond to the strident criticism from Left parties?
Are those afraid of this proximity out of sync with today's world?
How much of an issue are India's relations with Iran?
There is confusion over whose responsibility it is to get NSG approval for the deal. Indian officials say it is the US responsibility.
But you have said several times that India has to make the case to the NSG, implying that it rests upon India to get the NSG exemption. This has caused concern in Delhi.
What's your assessment of China's stand within the NSG?
So you don't see a big hurdle there?
How do you judge congressional support as this agreement comes up for an up or down vote?
How will you reconcile the differences between the Hyde Act and the 123 agreement on reprocessing?
What does this deal mean concretely in terms of trade?
You have spoken of a greater defence partnership after the agreement?
Does it mean more defence sales?
