"We have overcome many of the outstanding issues. We just need to go the extra couple of feet," said US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns, the chief American negotiator at the talks, which were extended for a second day Friday.

"We are in an extra innings," Burns told reporters, using a baseball term. "We haven't given up and I'm very hopeful we might have an agreement."

Even if they come to an agreement on the text in Washington, it will have to be referred to the leaders of the two countries in any case, Burns said.

The two sides have been holding talks for the last two years to reach a comprehensive agreement under which the United States would provide nuclear technology and fuel to India, after Washington agreed in principle to reverse three decades of sanctions following India's nuclear tests.

At their latest round of talks in Washington, the negotiators were scheduled to end their two-day meeting on Wednesday but extended it by two days after a breakthrough in issues that had blocked an accord, officials said.

The two sides have "broken the logjam," a US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. He did not elaborate.

"The talks have been extended for yet another day," Indian embassy spokesman Rahul Chhabra said, adding that Indian negotiators have postponed their flight home.