Friday, March 31 2006 09:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Against the backdrop of some US lawmakers suggesting that conditions be attached to Indo-US nuclear deal, yesterday (Mar 30, 2006) made it clear that any change contemplated by the Congress will have to be 'within the parameters' of understanding reached between the two sides.

Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran also said that while non-approval of the deal by Congress would lead to 'some falling back' in expectations from bilateral ties, other facets of the relations would 'not fall by the wayside.'

"The understanding that we have reached between India and the US has been the result of a very painstaking and very complex negotiations," he said in an interaction session at the Heritage Foundation after delivering a lecture there.

"So the understanding is a rather a carefully balanced one and it is a rather delicately balanced one. Therefore it stands to reason that whatever change that is contemplated should be in line with the parameters of that understanding," he said.

"As long as that legislation is within the bounds of that understanding, I think we will have no problem," h said.

Saran's remarks come close on the heels of Bush Administration's view that while it welcomed suggestions from the Congress, it would not like to revisit the nuclear deal.

Saran, however, said, "It is really a hypothetical question for the moment because I think we will have to wait and see what precisely is the legislative change that will be brought about after it has been considered by the Congress."