BANGALORE: K. Subramanyam, Head of the Task Force on Global Strategic Developments of the Union Government, has said separation of civil and military nuclear facilities is essential to enable the country get external aid and participate in exchange of military programmes.

He was speaking to presspersons after a two-day workshop on "Changing contours of Indo-U.S. relations", organised by the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) here on Friday.

However, Mr. Subramanyam said there is no question of toeing the line of the U.S., and India is not under duress. Heads of both governments have approved a system, and legislation needs to be enacted in India for separation of civil and military nuclear facilities, he added.

To a question, Mr. Subramanyam said: "It would be very nice if it (the dialogue) concludes during the visit of U.S. President George W. Bush."

Speaking about Defence-related issues that emerged during the workshop, former Vice-Chief of Naval Staff P.J. Jacob said other countries, particularly the U.S., are holding discussions with India owing to the latter's strengths. The situation has changed after the Cold War and we have shifted from a protection-oriented approach to an aggressive approach, he added.

NIAS Director K. Kasturirangan said the workshop discussed issues related to political, economic, military, high-technology and legal dimensions of relations between the U.S. and India. He said India will participate in a moon mission with the U.S., for which a memorandum of understanding has to be signed.

Responding to a question, ISRO Director Rajeev Lochan said India will join the U.S. and Russia in an exploration of the helium isotope on the moon.

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