Further, Pakistan questioned the urgency for making an exception to the 45-60-day period usually needed for the board of governors to consider any such matter. While the IAEA secretariat and other members of the board prevailed on grounds that there have been precedents where such exceptions have been made, Pakistan seems to be continuing with its efforts.

Currently, sources said, hectic diplomacy is underway to get Pakistan not to insist on its demand. The danger of voting would mean that several other

countries which have strong positions on non-proliferation and are also members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group will be forced to take positions on the Indo-US nuclear deal.

This, in turn, can have an adverse fallout in the NSG where these countries would be bound by a public stand. Since NSG takes its decisions only by way of consensus, a lack of flexibility may escalate problems for US interlocutors who will be making the case for India.

Already the confusion over holding the July 18 briefing has had its effect. Initially, India had notified the IAEA that the briefing will be in the Agency for all members. Then, it withdrew the notice. Few hours later, New Delhi said it will hold the briefing outside IAEA for the board and NSG members. Amid all this back and forth, EU countries requested a special briefing by the IAEA secretariat as not all EU members of the IAEA could have been present at the India briefing.