The Hindu : Front Page : India seeks China’s help at NSG

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 17, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

India seeks China’s help at NSG

No assurance forthcoming, but I do not think China will be an obstacle: PM

China offers support for power generation
No deadline for finishing IAEA, NSG processes

— Photo: PTI/ Shahbaz Khan

Cementing ties: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Chinese President Hu Jintao during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday.

On Board the PM’s Special Aircraft: New Delhi sought Beijing’s support for its case before the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) for an India-specific waiver for the implementation of the Indo-U.S. civil nuclear cooperation deal, but “no assurance” was forthcoming.

Disclosing this on his way back from China on Wednesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told journalists that he, however, did not think that Beijing would be an “obstacle,” given the new relations between the countries.

There was no time limit for clearing the processes with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the NSG, though there were some “issues” to be sorted out. Also, the government could not wish away parliamentary arithmetic in a democracy.

Dr. Singh answered a wide range of questions from China’s support to the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal to the situation in Pakistan, de-limitation and petroleum prices.

He said China had offered support for civil nuclear cooperation in power generation.

China is an important and influential member of the 45-member NSG.

“I cannot say I have got a firm, definite answer but my own feeling is that the relationship of trust and confidence is now establishing, and we are succeeding in that. When the issue comes before relevant agencies, I do not think China will be an obstacle. I can’t say I have an assurance today,” Dr. Singh said when he was asked whether China would support India’s case at the NSG.

Asked how confident he was about persuading the Left allies, which are opposed to the deal with the U.S., he said, “Well, the effort is that.”

“Will the Left parties now change their position after the Chinese support,” he was asked. “You should ask them,” he shot back.

In a different context, Dr. Singh spoke about the “mindset” of decision-makers such as politicians, Ministers, scientists and others when a reporter asked how confident he was about changing the “mindset” of the Left parties on the deal.

He said:

“Let me say it is an essay in mutual comprehension and mutual persuasion. That effort is on, and there is no doubt that we have to take an early decision. The IAEA has to first clear the deal. We have made progress but we have to still sort out some issues. There is no deadline.” — PTI

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

Front Page