Washington: The stalled Indo-US civilian nuclear deal could well end up with the next administration both in the US and India, a former US government official said, adding that a new American President is not likely to scuttle the atomic initiative.

The official also said the nuke deal should not become hostage to India's ties with Iran.

"I certainly hope that wouldn't happen," said Bruce Riedel, a former senior official of the National Security Council in-charge of Asia, when asked if a new American President is likely to scuttle the civilian nuclear initiative.

"Sooner or later, the Congress government will force a showdown with the Communists, probably closer to the next scheduled Indian elections in May 2009. This agreement is probably one that is going to slip over into the next Indian administration too," Riedel said.

"This deal is the basis for strong US-Indian relationship and I support it. There is certainly a possibility that a new administration may try to strengthen the nonproliferation parts of it, and might, particularly if the Democrats are elected, try to revive the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

"But the first step there of course would be for the United States to ratify the CTBT. I don't think we could go to the Indians and ask them to do something that we haven't done so far," he said.

The delay by India on the civilian nuclear deal is entirely due to politics in the governing coalition, maintained Riedel.
Source : PTI