The Hindu : National : India hopes to get support at IAEA, NSG

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Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008
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India hopes to get support at IAEA, NSG

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon said though some countries had reservations about the India-U.S. nuclear deal, India was hopeful of their coming around to support India’s case at the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group.

Having recently returned from Vienna where he interacted with IAEA board members and representatives of NSG member-countries, Mr. Menon said there were “several” NSG exemption drafts in circular. But India had made it clear that it expects a “clear and unconditional exemption” while permitting India to resume nuclear trade with other countries.

India will step up its efforts to convince the IAEA ahead of the meeting of its board of governors to consider an India-specific safeguards agreement with an interaction with the entire IAEA membership on July 25 on the technical aspects of the pact.

In Vienna, Mr. Menon and his team had also met the IAEA Director-General and chairman and members of the IAEA’s board of governors. They answered questions and said that resumption of civil nuclear commerce with other countries would meet not only India’s energy needs but also provide a clean source.

On the safeguards agreement, he came away with the impression that support for the deal is increasing. “Some countries will have misgivings but we will work and talk it out with them,” he added.

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