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India nuclear deal scrutinised | India nuclear deal scrutinised |
(9 minutes later) | |
A group of nations that regulates global civilian nuclear trade has met to decide whether India can trade in sensitive nuclear materials. | A group of nations that regulates global civilian nuclear trade has met to decide whether India can trade in sensitive nuclear materials. |
A waiver from the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in the Austrian capital Vienna would help India finalise a nuclear deal with the US. | A waiver from the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in the Austrian capital Vienna would help India finalise a nuclear deal with the US. |
The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency has already backed the controversial deal. | The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency has already backed the controversial deal. |
India's government says the deal is vital to meet its energy demands. | India's government says the deal is vital to meet its energy demands. |
Critics of the deal say it creates a dangerous precedent - allowing India access to fuel and technology without requiring it to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as other countries must do. | Critics of the deal say it creates a dangerous precedent - allowing India access to fuel and technology without requiring it to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as other countries must do. |
Banned | Banned |
Indian officials made a presentation to explain India's policy to the NSG members on Thursday. The meeting is expected to conclude on Friday. | |
Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon declined to comment after the briefing. | Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon declined to comment after the briefing. |
Other participants described the atmosphere at the morning session as cordial. | Other participants described the atmosphere at the morning session as cordial. |
Officials say that the NSG may need to meet at least two more times after Friday before a decision is finally reached. | |
The deal must also be ratified by the US Congress. | The deal must also be ratified by the US Congress. |
Indian PM Manmohan Singh has described the deal as 'historic' | Indian PM Manmohan Singh has described the deal as 'historic' |
The deal would allow India to enter the world market in nuclear fuel and technology - as long as it is for civilian purposes. | The deal would allow India to enter the world market in nuclear fuel and technology - as long as it is for civilian purposes. |
It had previously been banned from doing so under the terms of a 30-year embargo imposed because of its testing of atomic bombs and refusal to join the global NPT. | It had previously been banned from doing so under the terms of a 30-year embargo imposed because of its testing of atomic bombs and refusal to join the global NPT. |
Under the terms of the accord, India would get access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel. | Under the terms of the accord, India would get access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel. |
In return, Delhi would open its civilian nuclear facilities to inspection - but its nuclear weapons sites would remain off-limits. | In return, Delhi would open its civilian nuclear facilities to inspection - but its nuclear weapons sites would remain off-limits. |
Correspondents say that 14 of India's 22 existing or planned reactors would come under regular International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) surveillance if the deal goes ahead. | Correspondents say that 14 of India's 22 existing or planned reactors would come under regular International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) surveillance if the deal goes ahead. |
The US restricted nuclear co-operation with India after it first tested a nuclear weapon in 1974. | The US restricted nuclear co-operation with India after it first tested a nuclear weapon in 1974. |
Critics fear assistance to India's civil programme could free-up additional radioactive material for bomb-making purposes. | Critics fear assistance to India's civil programme could free-up additional radioactive material for bomb-making purposes. |