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``Cooperation will benefit energy security''

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma on Wednesday said in the Lok Sabha that the nuclear cooperation with the United States was intended to benefit India's energy security, help in accelerating the growth rate and lead to dismantling of technology denial regimes.

"We are clear that whatever is signed will be within the templates of the July 18 statement. India is not prepared to accept any new conditionalities or obligations. There is no change in our stand," he said in written answer to a query from P.C. Thomas (Kerala Congress-J) that the deal was not as rosy as being made out.

When Suresh Kurup (Communist Party of India-Marxist) asked whether the foreign policy vis-à-vis Iran was linked to the deal, Mr. Sharma replied in the negative. The "deal is confined to the nuclear energy programme and there is no reference — implied or otherwise — to India's foreign policy." Iran was a separate issue altogether, he said during question hour.

To CPI member Gurudas Dasgupta's question why nuclear fuel was being pushed for when the country had abundant coal, hydel energy and lignite, Mr. Sharma said there was a need to evolve a harmonious mix of fuel alternatives.

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