A recent opinion poll has shown that a majority of Americans are opposed to the landmark Indo-US civil nuclear deal at a time when the Bush administration is trying to push legislation to facilitate the smooth implementation of the accord.

Seventy-one per cent of Americans have said that they are opposed to the nuclear deal because it will suggest to other countries that they can develop nuclear weapons and get away with it.

Only 24 per cent of Americans endorse the argument that selling civilian nuclear technology to India is a good idea because it will strengthen US-India relations and contribute to peace and stability in Asia.

The findings of a 2006 Multination Survey of Public Opinion conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs has also shown that Indians are equally divided in their reactions to the nuclear deal with 42 per cent taking the view that selling New Delhi [Images] civilian nuclear technology is a good idea as it will strengthen Indo-US relations and 39 per cent disagreeing.

Quite revealing in this opinion poll is that 53 per cent of Americans have said that they do not trust India either at all or very much.