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U.S. can seek return of nuclear technology, says Nicholas Burns

Washington: The U.S. on Friday said that it reserved the right to seek return of nuclear technology and fuel if India conducted an atomic test.

“On the issue of so-called right of return, of course the American President under the Atomic Energy Act has the right to ask for the return of nuclear fuel and nuclear technology if there is a (nuclear) test (by India),” Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said.

“The right of return is preserved....Both sides build in protections and if there is any reason for the U.S. to invoke the right of return, we can certainly do so,” he said, briefing reporters on the conclusion of the 123 agreement.

“We hope and trust that it will not be necessary,” Mr. Burns, who held several rounds of negotiations with Indian officials to conclude the 123 agreement, said.

“We had to make sure that everything under the civilian nuclear agreement and the 123 agreement was completely consistent with the Hyde Act and well within the bounds of the Hyde Act,” he said.

He said President George W. Bush had offered four specific assurances to India to maintain continuity of fuel supply and those assurances were built into the 123 agreement. “And they are very much consistent with the fact that we have a very positive view of our civil nuclear cooperation with India. We expect it to continue in a positive direction,” he said. — PTI

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U.S. can seek return of nuclear technology, says Nicholas Burns

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