ISRO denies illegal equipment deal

According to a report in The New York Times, US federal prosecutors investigating the smuggling of nuclear technology have said that Karni has ‘‘pleaded guilty’’ of arranging illegal exports of American-made equipment to both India and Pakistan. The spotlight is also on Pakistani businessman Humayun Khan, who is believed to be Karni’s partner. Karni, the report states, was also involved in 2002 in selling ‘‘sophisticated electronic equipment to government agencies in India’’.

Another report by Los Angeles Times names VSSRC as being the ultimate recipient of certain items Karni booked from a US manufacturer of speciality missile components. Karni has been quoted in court documents that he had also revealed the destination of these equipment.

The Israeli businessman, who ran a company called Top-Cape Technology in Cape Town, was arrested in Denver last year while traveling to US with his family. He has since pleaded guilty. His statements led to the indictment of Humayun Khan by a US federal grand jury on Wednesday.

The NYT mentions that it was not clear whether goods Karni ‘‘sold’’ to the Indian government agencies were useful for making nuclear weapons. Federal investigators have been quoted as saying that a probe was on and that they were looking at ‘‘dozens of suspects’’ the world over.

ISRO officials said they have seen such media reports and have checked with the VSSRC but found no linkages with Humtek or Karni. Government officials here added that they were keeping a close watch and would wait for the investigations to conclude before making any comment.

Washington, it may be recalled, had earlier blacklisted two Indian nuclear scientists under the Iran Non-Proliferation Act. As it later turned out, one of the scientists had never visited Iran and the other had gone there under the aegis of the International Atomic Energy Agency. India has since taken up the matter and sought review of the decision.

External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh, who will be in Washington next week, will discuss with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ways to take forward the energy dialogue between both countries. A key aspect of this is civilian nuclear cooperation, including reactor technology.