Liability clause a ‘knotty, thorny’ issue in ties: US

Kerry: Defence, nuclear, climate issues to come up at talks between Modi & Obama

The United States and India will try to make progress in defence and civil nuclear cooperation when President Barack Obama visits New Delhi this month, US secretary of state John Kerry said in Gandhinagar Monday. He said the US expected India to sign a landmark climate change agreement in Paris later this year, saying this will be part of the discussions Mr Obama will have with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The US President, who will be in India as chief guest on Republic Day, will hold discussions with Mr Modi on bilateral and other issues. Terming Mr Obama’s coming visit as a “landmark” one, India said Monday both sides were working hard to have an “excellent outcome”.

A senior US official travelling with Mr Kerry, however, noted Washin-gton viewed the liability clause as one of the “knottiest and thorniest” issues in bilateral ties. He was referring to tough provisions in India’s Civil Nuclear Liability Act that are a dampener for foreign suppliers who have been made accountable for damages in case of accidents.

“We will try to make progress on issues like defence agreements, civil nuclear agreement as well as economic prog-ress,” Mr Kerry told reporters before leaving India. He was in Gandhi-nagar to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. “We are also working together to strengthen maritime security. We are strengthening our partnership to combat terrorism, piracy and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We are committed to regional dialogue on key political and security issues,” he said.

MEA spokesman Syed Akbaruddin, asked if Mr Obama will also visit cities outside New Delhi, said a high-level US delegation will be in India later this week, when the US President’s schedule will be finalised.