India also remained in close touch with France and Russia for creating diplomatic pressure on countries raising the red flags. However, the discussions were still underway and it was not certain whether another meeting would be needed in September. US, for its part, has conveyed that India should be prepared for another round early next month.

For Washington, it is important that process is concluded by September 3 so that it can work on the presidential determination which can be presented before the US Congress when it meets on September 8.

The extreme sceptics

• New Zealand and Ireland: Hyde Act should be the template. US should include conditions on testing given that the same is also mentioned in the Hyde Act.

• Austria and Norway joined New Zealand and Ireland to argue that exemption would “damage” the NPT and demanded strong conditions

The mild sceptics

• Canada pushing for a review or monitoring mechanism for India, closer inspection regime.

• Canada, Japan and even Australia indicated they wanted tighter exemption note, prohibition on enrichment and reprocessing technology.