One key positive from the meeting was the silence of South Africa that was until now quite vocal within the NSG against the deal. Having unilaterally given up the nuclear weapons option to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty, South Africa has been opposing any exemption. However, Singh’s South Africa visit has clearly made its impact.

China, sources said, continued to be ambiguous on the issue. In this context, Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit on November 20 will provide an opportunity for New Delhi to raise the matter at the highest level.

The other country that has been raising uncomfortable questions is Ireland, for which PM’s Special Envoy on the n-deal Shyam Saran will be visiting Dublin next week. With US and UK backing the deal, the hope is Ireland will show flexibility.

The coming weeks are crucial to the n-deal with both sides deciding not to delay negotiations on other fronts because of the technical problems in the US Senate. US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, Washington’s key interlocutor on the deal, is expected to visit India in November when the next round of talks on a formal bilateral agreement are also likely to take place.

Meanwhile, hectic lobbying is underway in Washington to get the Senate to vote on the legislation so that a quick reconciliation is possible while the Congress is still in session.