The Hindu : International / India & World : India's record is good: Burns

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Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006

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International - India & World

India's record is good: Burns

Islamabad not protecting nuclear materials: Burns

Washington: Praising India's record in non-proliferation, the United States has said it did not suggest a civilian nuclear energy deal with Pakistan, as the country did not have a record of protecting its nuclear materials.

``India has a good record in protecting its own nuclear materials it has developed, not proliferated them in a way that some other countries have,'' Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns told reporters here on Monday evening. The civilian nuclear energy deal with India would not stand up if it did not have the record. ``It does have that record.''

``North Korea does not have that record. Iran certainly does not have that record. And Pakistan doesn't either. Obviously, we did not suggest this deal for Pakistan,'' Mr. Burns said to a question whether the Pakistan Government was responsible for the activities of A.Q. Khan nuclear technology smuggling ring.

``The Government of Pakistan reacted to the public disclosure of the A.Q Khan activities. The Government has ended those activities,'' he said.

The Bush administration kept Pakistan informed of the developments on the deal with India even if Islamabad was not ``thrilled'' at the agreement.

"India voted on its own"

Asked whether the United States. offered any economic incentive to India for the vote against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr. Burns said: ``India made its own decisions. In fact, way back in September and again in February India made its own sovereign decision on the Iranian question.''

Pressed further, he said, "None whatsoever. India makes its own decision." — PTI

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