NEW DELHI, Feb 26: The proposed nuclear deal between the United States and India is a “complicated issue”, the American head of Indo-US Science and Technology Forum Norman P Neureiter was quoted on Sunday as saying.

“The real issue is — does it have a negative impact on global efforts to stamp down proliferation. Some people in the US feel it does, others feel it will be strengthened if India comes in the fold,” Mr Neureiter told Press Trust of India in New Delhi.

“It is a complicated issue. Let us see what happens,” said Mr Neureiter, who is also Director of Centre for Science, Technology and Security Policy.

He said there were questions as to whether the US could have “closer relations with India without compromising the global efforts to stop proliferation”.

Noting that he was not taking any view, the eminent American scientist said there are different views as to whether “it will do irreparable damage to the NPT or will in the long term strengthen NPT.”

Asked whether there were apprehensions in the US that India could misuse the deal, Mr Neureiter said the issue was whether an exception to India gives encouragement to Iran and to other countries.

He said “certainly, if there is exception to India, Pakistan will say they should have the same thing”.

PTI said his views assume significance as Pakistan has already started demanding a nuclear deal with the US and other countries on the lines of Indo-American agreement.