NEW DELHI, Feb 24: India and the United had ‘fruitful talks’ here on Friday but apparently failed to eliminate differences on the implementation of their proposed nuclear energy deal. It was to have been done before President George Bush’s visit next week.

“The two sides had detailed and productive discussions. There was greater clarity on the issues under discussion,” Indian foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said after talks between Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran and US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns. “Progress has been made.”

“We have not reached a final agreement,” an American official told Press Trust of India. “There is goodwill by both governments and a commitment by President Bush to see this deal through towards a conclusion.”

For his part, Mr Burns said: “We are working very hard on this agreement on both sides and we have some more work to do.”

Noting that the two countries have been ‘active’ over the past 11 months, Mr Burns said: “There have been unique negotiations, which have been very challenging.”

“Both of us want to complete these negotiations but there are still some differences between us and those need to be worked out,” he had said on Thursday. “We simply don’t know whether we will have an agreement before President Bush’s visit but we are trying our best.”