Wednesday, February 8 2006 11:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: The United States is 'closely'working with India on the 'actual implementation' of theIndo-US nuclear deal and is hopeful of making 'some progress' on it in the coming weeks leading up to the visit of President George W Bush to New Delhi in March.

The discussions are focused on a 'workable proposal' by India on the separation of its civilian and military nuclear facilities, State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said during a briefing here yesterday (Feb 8,2006).

"We have continuing discussions with the Indian Government on the issue. The key component of these discussions is a workable proposal from the Indian Government on the separation of their civilian and their military nuclear programs. So we continue to work with them on that issue," he said.

"We don't yet have anything to report in terms of a final agreement, but we think we hold out great hope we are going to be able to make some progress here in the coming weeks on that issue," he added.

The US, he said, appreciates Indian concerns on energy security which is why "we have been working so closely with them on actual implementation of the agreement," signed between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George W Bush in July last year.

He also said that the US was 'pleased' that New Delhi decided to vote '/with many other countries' to report Iran to the UNSC over its nuclear programme.