ID :
18386
Mon, 09/08/2008 - 10:13
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/18386
The shortlink copeid
NSG waiver for India comes after tough negotiations
Ajay Kaul
Vienna, Sep 8 (PTI) It wasn't an easy sail for India at the NSG, which granted a waiver to it for nuclear commerce after hectic and tough three-day negotiations that saw both U.S. and India mobilise all their efforts to woo the naysayers.
During the negotiations, which began on September 4, both the proponent and sceptic countries stuck to their positions but finally reached a common ground Saturday after the U.S. prodding and deft diplomacy by New Delhi.
On the very first day of the meeting of the 45-nation
grouping, there were demands for changes in the revised draft
that the U.S. had prepared following failure to achieve
consensus at the August 21-22 parleys.
As soon as the N.S.G. reconvened for the second day, at
9.30 am (1 pm I.S.T.), work started on redrafting of the
waiver to accommodate the concerns of the sceptic countries
while ensuring that no clauses were incorporated which would
bind India.
The grouping broke for short recesses during which the
U.S. and other countries strongly backing the initiative held
intense discussions with those countries which had
reservations particularly with regard to testing and transfer
of enrichment and reprocessing technologies to India.
China, which had remained silent so far, too raised
questions over some aspects of the draft.
The major turning point came with the issuance of the
statement by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in
which he talked about India's abiding commitment to
strengthening the non-proliferation system and unilateral
moratorium on nuclear testing.
That statement went down well among the N.S.G. members
including the sceptic countries who saw a lot of their
concerns being addressed through it.
The revised draft was reworked on Friday afternoon and
sent for approval from the U.S. in consultation with India.
The draft came back at 1 am (4.30 am I.S.T. Saturday). Till
then, the diplomats were not pre-occupied with anything.
The diplomats from N.S.G. countries held discussions over
the draft for an hour before dispersing to meet again
Saturday.
Austria, New Zealand, Ireland and Switzerland maintained
reservations. They were joined by China which raised some
questions with regard to non-proliferation.
The Indian delegation led by Foreign Secretary
Shivshankar Menon worked with these countries in early
morning Saturday, making all-out efforts to allay their
concerns.
One by one, sceptic countries started coming around to
support the significant initiative. The Chinese told the
Indian delegation at 7 am Saturday that they will back the
initiative.
Austria was the last country to say yes, leading to a
consensus.
While diplomats of the 45 countries were brainstorming in
Vienna, diplomacy at political level, including at the highest
rank, was being conducted by the U.S. and India with the other
countries.
President George W. Bush and Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice prodded the sceptic countries to support the
initiative in favour of India. PTI AKK
Vienna, Sep 8 (PTI) It wasn't an easy sail for India at the NSG, which granted a waiver to it for nuclear commerce after hectic and tough three-day negotiations that saw both U.S. and India mobilise all their efforts to woo the naysayers.
During the negotiations, which began on September 4, both the proponent and sceptic countries stuck to their positions but finally reached a common ground Saturday after the U.S. prodding and deft diplomacy by New Delhi.
On the very first day of the meeting of the 45-nation
grouping, there were demands for changes in the revised draft
that the U.S. had prepared following failure to achieve
consensus at the August 21-22 parleys.
As soon as the N.S.G. reconvened for the second day, at
9.30 am (1 pm I.S.T.), work started on redrafting of the
waiver to accommodate the concerns of the sceptic countries
while ensuring that no clauses were incorporated which would
bind India.
The grouping broke for short recesses during which the
U.S. and other countries strongly backing the initiative held
intense discussions with those countries which had
reservations particularly with regard to testing and transfer
of enrichment and reprocessing technologies to India.
China, which had remained silent so far, too raised
questions over some aspects of the draft.
The major turning point came with the issuance of the
statement by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in
which he talked about India's abiding commitment to
strengthening the non-proliferation system and unilateral
moratorium on nuclear testing.
That statement went down well among the N.S.G. members
including the sceptic countries who saw a lot of their
concerns being addressed through it.
The revised draft was reworked on Friday afternoon and
sent for approval from the U.S. in consultation with India.
The draft came back at 1 am (4.30 am I.S.T. Saturday). Till
then, the diplomats were not pre-occupied with anything.
The diplomats from N.S.G. countries held discussions over
the draft for an hour before dispersing to meet again
Saturday.
Austria, New Zealand, Ireland and Switzerland maintained
reservations. They were joined by China which raised some
questions with regard to non-proliferation.
The Indian delegation led by Foreign Secretary
Shivshankar Menon worked with these countries in early
morning Saturday, making all-out efforts to allay their
concerns.
One by one, sceptic countries started coming around to
support the significant initiative. The Chinese told the
Indian delegation at 7 am Saturday that they will back the
initiative.
Austria was the last country to say yes, leading to a
consensus.
While diplomats of the 45 countries were brainstorming in
Vienna, diplomacy at political level, including at the highest
rank, was being conducted by the U.S. and India with the other
countries.
President George W. Bush and Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice prodded the sceptic countries to support the
initiative in favour of India. PTI AKK
