NSG raises concern on Sino-Pak N-deal
India has welcomed the 46-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) stand on China-Pakistan nuclear pact that involves supply of two additional nuclear reactors for Chashma facility.
The five-day deliberations of the group held at Christchurch in New Zealand ended on Friday with no endorsement for the Sino-Pak nuclear deal.
Last ditch efforts made by Pakistani establishment to get the NSG nod seems to have failed. Though officials were tightlipped, Indian official sources described the three-page statement “as a good one and we should welcome it”. In apparent reference to Sino-Pak nuclear deal, the NSG said, “The group takes note of briefings on developments concerning non-NSG states (read Pakistan).” Member states have reportedly agreed to continue consultations on the deal that has raised eyebrows from several quarters, including India. India has already expressed its concerns with the European Union, US and member-countries of the NSG over Sino-Pak nuclear deal.
Official sources confirmed that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh might articulate India’s concerns with his counterparts in US, Britain, Japan, Canada and Bric leaders. A chance meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao on the issue was also not ruled out.
As apparent fallout of the Sino-Pak deal and North Korea’s announcement to go ahead with nuclear tests, the NSG has decided to “consider ways to further strengthen guidelines dealing with transfer off enrichment and reprocessing technologies”. But, with regards to India, the NSG was seen positively disposed towards its civil nuclear treaty with US outside purview of non-proliferation treaty. The NSG has taken onboard the NSG guidelines and commitments made by India on deploying technology, fuel and reactors for peaceful civil purposes.
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