The future of India's proposed nuclear deal with the United States
remains uncertain, with the postponement of a key meeting between
India's government and its communist allies.
The talks were set to take place Wednesday in New Delhi, but communist leaders say the meeting will now take place on June 25.
The
delay comes as India's left wing parties reffirm their opposition to
the agreement, saying it undermines India's independent foreign
policy and nuclear weapons program.
Indian Foreign Minister
Pranab Mukherjee met with communist leader Prakash Karat Monday,
seeking approval for India to sign an agreement with the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
But communist party leaders say such an agreement with the IAEA is unacceptable as it would allow the U.S. deal to go forward.
The
proposed nuclear deal would allow India to trade nuclear fuel and
technology. India would also submit some of its civilian nuclear
reactors to United Nations monitoring
Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh said last week the agreement would allow India to have
civilian nuclear cooperation with other countries, which is crucial to
India's energy security.
In addition to the IAEA, the deal must also be approved by the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the U.S. Congress.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.