Four players hold key to N-deal success in US Cong

New Delhi: The success of the Indo-US nuclear agreement depends on four key players in the US Congress.

Three out of those four have publicly announced their support. But a small group of senior democratic lawmakers who are also crucial have expressed reservation.

Three members led by Massachussetts Congressman Edward Markey are for further examination and want the Congress to rule out any rush for an expedited vote for the deal ratification.

This development could be a stumbling block to meet the September 26 deadline.

However, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Foreign affairs committee chairman Joe Biden have signaled that they favor a vote on the nuclear agreement before the Congressional session ends.

Pelosi said rule for the nuke deal legislation would be waived. She said, "It will require a waiver. I hope that work can be done so that we can take it up. It does have support in the house."

Meanwhile, top US officials remain positive on seeing the deal going through. We have submitted a very strong package fully consistent with the hyde act that was passed with bi-partisan support. We understand how tight the congressional calendar is this Fall but we hope the legislation can be passed,” said Assistant Secretary for Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher.