Washington: Facing timelines to finalise the civilian nuclear agreement with India, the US today expressed optimism about the deal getting cleared in the next several months, saying there was still time left with the Congress to see it through.

"... We certainly believe it's still possible for this deal to move forward and for our Congress to have an opportunity to consider it," State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey said.

" ... It ain't over until it's over. And Congress will be in session for quite a ways more this year and we would certainly hope to have an opportunity to present them with this agreement and give them a chance to vote on it," he added.

Casey said the deal strengthen the nonproliferation regimes.

"We continue to believe that the civil nuclear deal is good, not only for India and for the United States, but also good in terms of strengthening the nonproliferation regimes that are out there," Casey said.

He said the Indian political system has to make some decisions to finalise the deal.

"We do, though, respect the fact that there are still issues that the Indian political system needs to work through. And that's been the case for a while. But we certainly hope we can get there," Casey said.

Source : PTI