G-8 for civil nuclear partnership with India
G-8 for civil nuclear partnership with India
Berlin: Noting India’s commitments in nuclear field, the Group of Eight most developed countries on 8 June 2007 favoured partnership with it but wanted New Delhi to take “further steps" for strengthening the non-proliferation regime.
In a statement issued after the Summit at Heiligendamm near here, the G-8 recognised India’s need to address its energy requirements.
“We note the commitments India has made... We look forward to reinforcing our partnership with India," said the document issued by the US, Russia, France, UK, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan.
The statement said the G-8 encourages “India to take further steps towards integration into the mainstream of strengthening the non-proliferation regime so as to facilitate a more forthcoming approach towards nuclear cooperation to address its energy requirements in a manner that enhances and reinforces the global non-proliferation regime."
The statement assumes significance as India is looking for the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to change its guidelines to allow the international community supply civilian nuclear technology to it.
New Delhi is currently engaged in lobbying for support in the nuclear regulator which is required to change the rules through consensus.
Bush-Manmohan meet at G-8
On the sidelines of the G-8 meet, US President George W Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 8 June 2007 voiced their commitment to stitch an agreement soon to operationalise the bilateral nuclear deal saying it is “doable" as India made a fresh offer to break the stalemate over reprocessing of spent fuel.
Both Bush and Singh at their 10-minute meeting said they were committed to seeing the agreement through which is mutually acceptable meeting the needs of India and the US.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, foreign secretary Shivshanker Menon said the two leaders hoped that India and the US would finalise the agreement soon. Bush and Singh felt this is “doable."
The two leaders voiced their optimism even as India made a fresh proposal offering to set up a dedicated safeguarded facility for reprocessing of atomic fuel in an effort to break the logjam over the proposed agreement to operationalise the civil nuclear deal.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!