NSG meet: India allays fears as nations raise questions

After the first day's intense deliberations at the NSG meeting in Vienna, New Delhi said it was ‘tough game’.

Seeking unconditional nod from the Nuclear Suppliers Group for civil nuclear trade, India sought to allay apprehensions with regard to the move after three countries raised questions as the 45-nation grouping met in Vienna to consider New Delhi’s case.

After the first day’s intense deliberations at the NSG meeting and a special briefing by India on its sidelines for the member countries, New Delhi said it was ‘tough game’ but expressed optimism about getting the exemption.

The grouping, that controls international nuclear trade, will meet again on Friday for discussions on the crucial issue amid indications that there could be no decision during the two-day-long deliberations and another meeting may be called soon after to take the final view.

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Assembling amid continued reservations of at least three members, the NSG considered a draft of the waiver, moved by the US, which is to be adopted by the grouping by consensus.

After the first session of the NSG meet, India held a special briefing for all the NSG countries conveying its commitments towards non-proliferation and seeking to allay fears that some members have.

Representatives of Austria, New Zealand and Switzerland questioned why India should be granted the waiver as they raised issues related to Non-Proliferation Treaty and testing, sources said.

Responding to the questions, the Indian delegation, led by Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon, sought to allay the apprehensions citing New Delhi’s ‘impeccable’ track record on non-proliferation front despite not being a signatory to the NPT.

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