Kolkata: Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger today said he was hopeful of a solution to the Indo-US civil nuclear deal in near future.

Speaking at the CII platform here, Kissinger said, "I am optimistic that a solution will be found and the issue will be settled in the next few months." Kissinger, who was on a visit to the city, met Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee and had a closed-door meeting with him which lasted for nearly 50 minutes.

His meeting with Bhattacharjee was significant in view of the Left opposition to the deal and its demand for a discussion in Parliament. He said that the 123 deal would benefit both the countries. Kissinger said that he preferred to visit Kolkata since the state with its 60 million people had vitality and a communist government that was dedicated to bring in investment.

Kissinger said that the US had never thought India would come closer to his country, particularly after the cold relation the two countries had gone through during the seventies.

"US had never thought India would lean towards that country," Kissinger said.

On Indo-US relationship, Kissinger said that both the countries have parallel interests. It was important for them to stay together and continue the dialogue.

Talking about the Indian economy, Kissinger said he was confident that the country would be able to maintain a GDP growth rate of nine per cent in the next five years on a sustainable basis.

On Iraq, Kissinger said that he was hopeful that a solution would emerge soon. He also supported America's stand on Iran.

He does not want India to have energy ties with Iran which, he says, is facing international sanctions over its nuclear programme.

Washington is also opposed to India going ahead with the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project as it views Tehran as a 'rogue state' which should be isolated.

Source : PTI