Tuesday, March 14 2006 10:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: A senior US lawmaker has suggested that the Congress may seek 'conditions' for the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal as it has 'profound' implications for American interests worldwide.

The suggestion was made by Chairman of the International Relations Committee of the House of Representatives Henry Hyde to the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

According to a release by the House International Relations Committee, Rice had met Hyde and ranking member Tom Lantos, who had earlier opposed the deal, last Thursday to discuss the civilian nuclear energy arrangement with India.

The deal awaits US Congressional approval.

Hyde and Lantos agreed to introduce the agreement enabling legislation at the request of the administration "But Hyde suggested that Congress may seek conditions for its approval," the release said.

Hyde has announced that the hearings on the US-India 'global partnership' will begin later in March and focus on the recently concluded agreement on the civilian nuclear cooperation.

"This is a complex agreement with profound implications for U.S. And global interests. Congress will need to take a close look at its many provisions in order to come to an informed decision," Hyde said.

The issues involved are complicated and technical, and it will take some time for Congress to absorb them as we move the agreement to fruition, Lantos noted.

"I view the new strategic alliance between the world's oldest and largest democracies as a breakthrough, but all members of Congress will undoubtedly wish to see the details of the agreement before deciding how to vote", the Democratic law maker added.