5 Sep :India’s case for a clean and unconditional waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) got a boost on the second day of its discussions on Friday after New Delhi’s reaffirmation of its commitment to non-proliferation goals.
The statement of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi generated a "momentum" at the discussions in the 45-member nuclear cartel, which welcomed and praised it.
"This is a very significant statement which was discussed by the NSG members and praised and welcomed by those in attendance.""So on this basis we believe a momentum has been generated in the discussions," US acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control told reporters after the morning round of discussions on the second day of deliberation.
A few countries are still said to be having some questions, particularly on the issue of nuclear testing by India, when they put forth their expressions during the morning session on the second day of the NSG meeting.
Efforts are still under way to assuage their concerns, diplomats said."We are pleased that there was a positive momentum in the discussions," Rood said before the lunch break.
The US official emphasised that his country remained committed to securing the exception for India and was optimistic on achieving the goal.
"We are both committed to achieving the objective and achieving consensus and are optimistic that we can achieve the goal," he said.Govt seeks to allay apprehensions of NSG members Earlier in the day, seeking to allay apprehensions of certain NSG countries, India said it is committed to the strengthening of the non-proliferation regime and underlined the policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons.
With the NSG meeting for a waiver to India for nuclear commerce underway in Vienna, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee issued a statement saying that New Delhi will work with the international community to advance the "common objective" of non-proliferation.
He assured the world community that India will not be a source of proliferation of sensitive technologies, including enrichment and reprocessing transfers.
Mukherjee noted that New Delhi remained committed to a voluntary, unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing.
"We do not subscribe to any arms race, including nuclear arms race. We have always tempered the exercise of our strategic autonomy with a sense of global responsibility. We affirm our policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons".
"We stand for the strengthening of the non-proliferation regime…," Mukherjee said.
Mukherjee’s remarks come in the backdrop of some members of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) expressing concern over giving India a waiver for conducting nuclear trade.
Assuring the international community about working for a non-proliferation regime, the Minister said New Delhi is "interested in participating as a supplier nation, particularly for Thorium-based fuel and in establishment of international fuel banks, which also benefit India."