The Hindu : National : India has `agreed' to harmonise export control lists, says Hadley

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Friday, Mar 03, 2006

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National

India has `agreed' to harmonise export control lists, says Hadley

Diplomatic Correspondent

Says its practices and procedures much more in line with global efforts to avoid proliferation

NEW DELHI: U.S. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley asserted on Thursday that India, apart from deciding to place its civilian nuclear facilities under safeguards, had agreed to harmonise its export control lists with those of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

"What this means is that India, which has had a good record in safeguarding technology, but has largely stood out — from outside the global non-proliferation arrangements, is moving inside those arrangements. It is adopting practices and procedures, export controls and other safeguards that are much more in line with the international community's efforts to police proliferation and avoid proliferation," Mr. Hadley told American presspersons.

New relationship

"In return, what that opens up is the prospect then for India and the United States and other countries to cooperate on civil[ian] nuclear power. In order to do that, there will have to be changes of laws and regulations. It will start with the United States Congress," a transcript of Mr. Hadley's remarks said.

In India's interest

"And the case we will make to the Congress is that the opening of civil[ian] nuclear cooperation between the United States and India is very much in our interest and India's interest; it's part of a new strategic relationship between India.

"But it has also been the vehicle ... to bring India under the same kind of set of international norms and procedures that we all abide by," he said.

"We will make that case to the Congress. We hope to get legislation that would allow civil[ian] nuclear cooperation between the two countries.

"It will also require India to negotiate the appropriate agreements with the IAEA, and it will also require the Nuclear Suppliers Group to make changes to its rules and regulations to admit this cooperation."

Road to go

"So there is a road to go. This is the way forward that the President [George W. Bush] and the Prime Minister basically agreed to in July of last year, and this is the next step, but a very important step, in moving in that direction," he added.

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