The Hindu : National : Nuclear issue: France backs India

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006

National

National

Nuclear issue: France backs India

New Delhi: Dismissing suggestions that its nuclear dealing with India was "predicated upon" successful passage of the India-U.S. civilian nuclear agreement in the U.S. Congress, France has said it will continue to press for waiver of restrictions on India at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and theU.N. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"We would like to clarify that the Franco-Indian nuclear cooperation declaration (signed in February this year) is not predicated upon or linked to successful passage of the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal by the Congress," French Ambassador to India, Dominique Girard, told PTI.

"We, on our side, are fully convinced regarding India's stand on the separation of its civilian and nuclear facilities and its commitment on use of nuclear material," Mr. Girard said.

"However, we would like India to effectively address the concerns of certain sceptical members of the NSG regarding the opening up of its (nuclear) facilities (to international inspections), its separation plan, use of nuclear fuel and safeguards," he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National