Saturday, February 25 2006 10:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: India and the US are making progress on implementation of the nuclear deal but the two sides are 'not yet there' as 'some clarification' is needed from New Delhi on separation of its civilian and military facilities, the White House has said.

Previewing President George W Bush's three-day visit to India from March one, US National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley rejected the notion that 'success' of the American leader's trip depended on finalisation of the civilian nuclear deal.

Asked about Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns' talks in New Delhi on the nuclear deal, he said, "There have been good consultations. He is now coming back to Washington to report on where we are on those discussions. We're making progress, but we're not yet there."

"The Indians, hopefully, will have an opportunity from there end to see where we are. And we would expect those negotiations will continue by phone, document and the like, probably up through the President's visit."

Under the landmark deal reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush here on July 18 last year, India would have to separate its civilian and military nuclear facilities, placing the former under international safeguards while the US would make a 'one time waiver' for India and urge Nuclear Suppliers Group to begin nuclear commerce with India.