Saturday, April 1 2006 09:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Emphasising that its nuclear deal with the US was the result of 'complex' negotiations, India has cautioned those pushing for so-called changes, including American lawmakers, not to upset this 'very, very delicate balance' and that there will be a 'loss in terms of expectations' if the pact was not approved.

"What has emerged out of these negotiations is a very delicate balance. We have been through extraordinary complex and difficult negotiations. Therefore, I would very strong hope that that balance is not disturbed," visiting Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran told reporters here yesterday at the Indian embassy while wrapping up his three-day visit to the US.

"If you start making revisions and changes, that balance is likely to be upset," Saran said.

He maintained that although everything else in the bilateral relationship would not fall by the wayside if the nuclear deal was not approved, "there will be a loss in terms of the built up expectations and enthusiasm".

"Considering the fact that so much time and energy has been spent in reaching this point, I think that should be appreciated and the concerns which have been expressed in the Congress, if those concerns are successfully met and answered, I think the deal should go ahead as it is," the Foreign Secretary remarked in response to a question.

Saran maintained that India would like to see the deal approved by Congress as quickly as possible, adding there was 'indeed wide support on Capitol Hill for the evolving bilateral relations' and that its culmination straddled both Republican and Democratic administrations.