ID :
16811
Sun, 08/24/2008 - 00:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/16811
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India briefs NSG members; participants term it `useful`
Vienna, Aug 21 (PTI) Pushing for an unconditional waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (N.S.G.) to allow it to conduct nuclear commerce, India Thursday held a special briefing for the members of the grouping, which was described by participants as "useful" and "constructive".
The Indian delegation led by Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon briefed the representatives of 45 member countries of N.S.G. for about 30 minutes detailing India's case, conveying its commitments towards non-proliferation and seeking to allay fears, if any.
After the collective briefing, Menon and Prime Minister'sspecial envoy Shyam Saran met representatives of N.S.G. countries separately in groups.
Participants later said the briefing, held in a "positive" atmosphere, was "good and useful".
"Some issues were raised which were useful and constructive," a participant said without identifying which country he was representing.
Menon and Saran replied to the issues raised by variousparticipants.
The Foreign Secretary refused to say anything to the waiting mediapersons on the deliberations.
The special briefing was held as India, which is not a member of the N.S.G., wanted to put forth its case directly before the members of the grouping that regulates international nuclear trade.
The briefing was particularly aimed at allaying the apprehensions of some N.S.G. members with regard to granting the exemption. At least three countries -- Austria, Ireland and New Zealand -- continue to have reservations over the move.
The Indian delegation met representatives of N.S.G. members soon after the first session of the two-day meeting of the grouping to consider whether or not India should be allowed to resume civil nuclear trade which was banned 34 years ago after New Delhi carried out first Pokhran nuclear tests.
Menon is understood to have cited India's impeccable track record with regard to non-proliferation to assert that the waiver will not in any way weaken the global non-proliferation regime.
The Foreign Secretary is believed to have pointed out to the N.S.G. members that New Delhi has in place strict export control regime besides other measures to guard against transfer of dual-use technology or nuclear fuel to ineligible entities.
This is the second briefing by India for the N.S.G. countries collectively in over a month. Menon had on July 18 briefed the N.S.G. countries along with members of the I.A.E.A. Board of Governors just before the latter's meeting August 1.
N.S.G. works by consensus and even if one country voicesopposition, the initiative for India will be scuttled.
The Indian delegation led by Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon briefed the representatives of 45 member countries of N.S.G. for about 30 minutes detailing India's case, conveying its commitments towards non-proliferation and seeking to allay fears, if any.
After the collective briefing, Menon and Prime Minister'sspecial envoy Shyam Saran met representatives of N.S.G. countries separately in groups.
Participants later said the briefing, held in a "positive" atmosphere, was "good and useful".
"Some issues were raised which were useful and constructive," a participant said without identifying which country he was representing.
Menon and Saran replied to the issues raised by variousparticipants.
The Foreign Secretary refused to say anything to the waiting mediapersons on the deliberations.
The special briefing was held as India, which is not a member of the N.S.G., wanted to put forth its case directly before the members of the grouping that regulates international nuclear trade.
The briefing was particularly aimed at allaying the apprehensions of some N.S.G. members with regard to granting the exemption. At least three countries -- Austria, Ireland and New Zealand -- continue to have reservations over the move.
The Indian delegation met representatives of N.S.G. members soon after the first session of the two-day meeting of the grouping to consider whether or not India should be allowed to resume civil nuclear trade which was banned 34 years ago after New Delhi carried out first Pokhran nuclear tests.
Menon is understood to have cited India's impeccable track record with regard to non-proliferation to assert that the waiver will not in any way weaken the global non-proliferation regime.
The Foreign Secretary is believed to have pointed out to the N.S.G. members that New Delhi has in place strict export control regime besides other measures to guard against transfer of dual-use technology or nuclear fuel to ineligible entities.
This is the second briefing by India for the N.S.G. countries collectively in over a month. Menon had on July 18 briefed the N.S.G. countries along with members of the I.A.E.A. Board of Governors just before the latter's meeting August 1.
N.S.G. works by consensus and even if one country voicesopposition, the initiative for India will be scuttled.
