Mukherjee arrives in US to sign N-deal

In a few hours, the historic nuclear deal will be signed. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has arrived in the United States to sign what is being described as the most controversial deal in post-Independent India.

Critics may be sore, but this picture -- taken by Jay Mandal on the Air India flight to the US-- of a laughing Mukherjee speaks a lot about the current mood in the United Progressive Alliance government. Also seen is foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon.