The Hindu : Front Page : India hopeful of Seoul support

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Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007
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India hopeful of Seoul support

P. S. Suryanarayana

— Photo: PTI

homage paid: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is on a three-day visit to South Korea, pays homage at the War Cemetery in Seoul on Monday. During discussions, the Indian side is expected to seek the support of South Korea, a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, for its civil nuclear ambitions.

SEOUL: India on Monday said the Republic of Korea (ROK) “may take a positive view” as and when the U.S.-India civilian nuclear energy deal “is taken up in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).”

This “hope,” expressed after External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s talks here with top leaders of the ROK, punctuated his “very substantive visit.”

The NSG issue was discussed, but in line with the primary purpose of his visit for a meeting of the ROK-India Joint Commission, the civilian nuclear energy question did not occupy pride of place on the agenda.

While this was indicated by the Indian side after the talks, there was no mention of the NSG issue in a press release issued in association with the ROK. External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said: “They [South Korean leaders] are aware of our concerns for access to civilian nuclear energy.”

Comprehensive talks

The discussions took place in the context of a possible move towards “a strategic dimension” in bilateral ties. Ambassador N. Parthasarathi said the two countries were now engaged in “a comprehensive dialogue” of cooperation. This was reflected in Mr. Mukherjee’s talks with ROK President Roh Moo-hyun and Foreign Minister Song Min-soon, besides National Defence Minister Kim Jang-soo and National Assembly Speaker Lim Chae-jung.

India expressed support for the six-party process to bring about North Korea’s nuclear disarmament, and appreciated the ROK’s efforts under this framework.

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