India wants to conclude the nuclear deal with the USA at the earliest to avoid future “political uncertainties” that may arise in Washington once the Bush administration changes.

“The sooner we have the deal, the better. The longer the process, the level of political uncertainties increases,” said Shyam Saran, the Prime Minister’s special envoy on the N-deal. While asserting that “the deal is not dead”, Saran said New Delhi knew about the shape of the India-specific safeguards agreement as negotiations with IAEA was over.