US official hints India’s n-blacklist may be trimmed, even expanded

The Bush administration might reconsider sanctions imposed on two Indian scientists for alleged nuclear cooperation with Iran if New Delhi o...

The Bush administration might reconsider sanctions imposed on two Indian scientists for alleged nuclear cooperation with Iran if New Delhi offers “significant and convincing” proof they were not involved, a senior US official said yesterday.

At the same time, though, the administration is also considering imposing sanctions on one to three additional Indian “entities” for aiding what Washington insists are Iran’s nuclear weapons programmes.

Some officials said no decisions have been made on these cases.

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The sanctions imposed in late September against Y S R Prasad and C Surendar—both former chiefs of the Nuclear Power Corporation—have angered New Delhi, which insisted the men were wrongly implicated and the penalties should be removed.

The senior US official, who spoke anonymously, cautioned against predicting that the sanctions, which bar the men from doing business with Washington, would be lifted or waived.

He told Reuters: ‘‘The Indians are being given a chance now to clarify, rebut, give us any information and we promise we’ll consider it.’’—Reuters

Trump vows to keep ‘massive’ tariffs on India until Russian oil imports cease

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President Trump spoke with Prime Minister Modi about India's continued purchases of Russian oil, warning that if they don't stop, tariffs on Indian goods will remain high. However, India denies any conversation took place and defends its energy policy. While the US claims India has halved its Russian oil purchases, Indian sources say there has been no immediate reduction.

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