Sunday, April 2 2006 10:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: India's efforts to drum up Congressional support for the historic nuclear deal with the US appeared to have hit initial glitch as some lawmakers belonging to India Caucus group have joined those opposed to the pact.

Eighteen law makers, predominantly Democrat, have tabled a motion against the nuclear deal and to the embarassment of New Delhi, at least ten of them are members of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

The Caucus was set up in the 1990s primarily to educate and motivate members of Congress on issues pertaining to India so that there could be a positive fallout on policies.

Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran who met several key lawmakers to garner their support and allay their apprehensions about India's nuclear status has said that it would not be advisable to seek changes in the deal reached after intense negotiations.

The House resolution against the nuclear deal has been tabled by Republican Fred Upton in association with Democrat Edward Markey.

Even before the deal made its way into the House and the Senate in the way of legislation, Markey made it known that he will be opposing it and for reasons of non-proliferation.

The Democrat who is a strident critic of the pact has been quite vocal of the agreement, including making his critical comments known in the media.