New Delhi, Nov 15 : Ahead of the meeting of the UPA-Left committee on the Indo-US nuclear deal, the Centre today hinted that it would approach the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for talks on the India-specific safeguards agreement.

A senior minister reportedly said this after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held discussions with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and other senior Cabinet ministers, including External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A K Antony, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi and Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

At tomorrow's meeting, a formal view on approaching the IAEA is likely, as the Left parties have already expressed softening of their stand against the government's desire to approach the IAEA.

A discussion on the nuclear deal will be held in Lok Sabha on November 27 after the Prime Minister's return from the tour of Singapore and Uganda, Dasmunsi said, adding that the government has also offered the debate in the Rajya Sabha on November 28.

The Prime Minister, on Wednesday, met BJP leader A B Vajpayee apparently to seek the Opposition's support to the Indo-US nuclear deal. (ANI)