Monday, August 7 2006 18:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Allaying anxieties about some aspects of the India-US civil nuclear deal, the US Monday said that the legislation was moving in the right direction and offered Washington's help to India in fighting terrorism in the region.

"The nuclear deal is on track. It's moving swiftly. We expect Senate to take up the vote in September," US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher told Indian business leaders and media men here. The interactive discussion was organized by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

"We will not know the final contours of the legislation till the process is over," Boucher said. He was responding to questions about some critical aspects of the civil nuclear legislation like a provision of annual certification by the US president on nuclear testing by India.

"Let's wait and see the final legislation. It's going in the right direction," he added.

A civil nuclear legislation approving the India-US civil nuclear accord passed the House of Representatives recently with an overwhelming majority.

"It's (nuclear deal) a symbol of what is possible in the future in all areas," he said, while assuring that the final legislation will be within the purview of the July 18, 2005 understanding between US President George Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Boucher also underlined the need for India and the US to fight terrorism at all places and in all its forms.

After his nearly three-hour long meeting with external affairs ministry officials, including joint secretary (Americas), S Jaishankar, Boucher said the two sides discussed a greater coordination of efforts to fight terrorism and the progress of the nuclear deal. "When it comes to terrorism, there is still a lot of work to do," Boucher said, adding that the two countries need to step up efforts to eliminate terrorism in the region.

Calling the Mumbai train bombings as a tragic incident, Boucher admitted that there are some terrorist groups operating from Pakistan who are eyeing both India and Pakistan.

He also expressed hope that India and Pakistan will continue on the path of dialogue. Describing his meeting as very good, he said the two sides discussed an entire gamut of bilateral relations, including accelerated cooperation in area of business and technology.

"We had quite extensive talks on regional and global issues," Boucher said.

"The US-India relationship is going to be critical to the 21st century. We could have a major impact on the international landscape for decades and decades to come," said Boucher, who arrived in India on a five-day visit.