WASHINGTON: The Bush administration has said that the sanctions imposed on two private Indian firms for allegedly providing Iran with nuclear material did not reflect New Delhi's non-proliferation record and hailed India as a "very responsible actor" in the field.

The administration also said it had not deliberately withheld information from the Congress on sanctions against the Indian firms.

On sanctions

When asked about the sanctions against the firms, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said: "There are 33 companies that are currently sanctioned under the Iran Non-Proliferation Act. But we believe the Indian Government itself is a responsible actor, very responsible actor on the front of non-proliferation."

Nuke deal good for all

"We believe that the Indian Government has a very strong record overall on the non-proliferation front and that the deal negotiated between the U.S. and India on nuclear issues is a good one for the U.S., is a good one for the international community on the non-proliferation front."

He said he was not aware of any attempt to deliberately withhold information from the Congress in that regard.

Tightly-controlled process

"There is a tightly controlled process that considers these issues when the identified firms — private firms, I believe, in this case — that are engaged in activities contrary to American law."

He was asked to comment on the perception in Capitol Hill that the administration deliberately held back information on India at the time of the House of Representatives voting on the civilian nuclear deal on July 26, 2006. — PTI

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