NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has reiterated that "reciprocity" holds the key to the implementation of the July 18, 2005 civil nuclear understanding with the United States. Recalling his July 29, 2005 statement in Parliament, Dr. Singh said on Monday: "I had stressed that reciprocity was the key and we expected that the steps to be taken by India would be conditional upon and contingent on action taken by the United States."

The Prime Minister assured Parliament that no part of this process would affect or compromise the country's strategic nuclear programme. According to him, the separation of the civil and military facilities was to be "conditional upon, and reciprocal to" the U.S. fulfilling its side of the understanding.

Stating that the nation was proud of the "tremendous work" of its nuclear scientists and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in mastering key aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, the Prime Minister promised that their "tremendous achievements" would not be frittered away.

"We will ensure that no impediments are put in the way of our research and development activities. We have made it clear that we cannot accept safeguards on our indigenous fast breeder programme. Our scientists are confident that this technology will mature and the programme will stabilise and become more robust through the creation of additional capability," he said.

According to him, this would create greater opportunities for future cooperation as well. "An important reason why the U.S. and other countries with advanced nuclear technologies are engaging with India as a valued partner is precisely because of the high respect and admiration our scientists enjoy internationally, and the range and quality of the sophisticated nuclear programme they have managed to create under the most difficult odds. This gives us confidence to engage in these negotiations as an equal partner."

Pointing out that the country's civil and military nuclear programmes were deeply intertwined across the expanse of the nuclear cycle, the Prime Minister said the maturity of the nuclear programme had made it possible to contemplate some changes.

"These are worth considering if benefits include gaining unhindered access to nuclear material, equipment, technology and fuel from international sources," he said.

Public recognition

According to the Prime Minister, the U.S. also implicitly acknowledged in the July 18, 2005 joint statement the existence of India's nuclear weapons' programme. "There was also public recognition that as a responsible State with advanced nuclear technologies, India should acquire the same benefits and advantages as other States which have advanced nuclear technology, such as the United States."

Dr. Singh said the negotiations on the civil nuclear deal had focussed on four crucial areas: the broad contours of a separation plan, list of facilities to be classified as civilian, the nature of safeguards to be applied on civilian facilities and the nature and scope of changes expected in U.S. domestic laws and Nuclear Suppliers Group guidelines to enable full civilian nuclear cooperation with India.

Economic progress

He said the July 18 statement was intended to expand the civilian nuclear energy capacities and pave the way for faster economic progress. "In seeking to achieve this objective, we appreciate the need for patience to remove misconceptions that abound."

"We believe that when implemented, the understanding contained in the [July 18] joint statement will give India its due place in the global nuclear order. The existence of our strategic programme is being acknowledged even while we are being invited to become a full partner in international civil nuclear energy cooperation," the Prime Minister said.

"I am aware that concerns have been raised over information being shared with outsiders, but not with our citizens. Members may be assured that nothing that could compromise our nuclear deterrent has been shared with anyone. On this aspect there is no reason for concern or doubt," he added.

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