Thursday, May 12 2005 09:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Seven years after denying visa to eminent nuclear scientist R Chidambaram following India's nuclear test in which he was a key figure, the United States has allowed him to travel to the country.

Chidambaram, principal scientific advisor to the Indian Government enjoying the rank of a Minister of State, is coming over for a conference in Tuscon and would "possibly meet with academic folks in Washington," US officials said.

"He is not here for any official visit," they added.

Analysts say the US is gradually coming round to accept India's status as a nuclear power state though there may be hurdles for the battered American nuclear industry to sell some nuclear reactors to India.

Chidambaram was the chairman of the Atomic Energy commission in May 1998 when India had conducted the nuclear test.