02-10-2008, 07:59 PM
<b>India has right to N-energy: Norway</b>
8 Feb, 2008
NEW DELHI: Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said his country recognised Indiaâs right to energy in the civilian nuclear area, but said there is a need to find a âconsensus based-solutionâ within the 44-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) on granting a waiver to India to carry out international civilian nuclear trade.
Without stating Norwayâs position on India getting an exemption in the NSG, Mr Stoltenberg told ET: âWe strongly believe we should find a consensus which solves the challenges we face regarding the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement. We believe that the only way is to find a solution.â
However, Mr Stoltenberg, who clearly indicated that there are sticking points on the matter, said Norway recognised Indiaâs right to meeting its energy demands. âWe are engaged and we will support to find a consensus-based solution, because this is the only way,â he added.
His remarks indicated that if and when India does get to the NSG, where it needs a consensus decision, it will not be a smooth sailing. Countries like Ireland, Sweden and New Zealand have criticised the deal at past NSG meetings, saying it would weaken the non-proliferation regime, while countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland and Austria are known to be strong proponents of the non-proliferation regime.
Many NSG members are also waiting for India to conclude negotiating a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) before taking a position on the matter.
Meanwhile, Mr Stoltenberg, whose third visit to India is focused on climate change, said Norway understood Indiaâs position on climate change. India has argued successfully that it would not agree to emission controls that will affect the growth of the economy. Mr Stoltenberg agreed that emission controls could not come at the cost of development.
âWe recognise Indiaâs right to develop. Global warming is a problem mainly from emissions from rich countries since the industrial period. So rich countries have to take the main responsibility for emission reduction. We canât say that people of India donât have access to electricity or to have car or economic development,â the Prime Minister said.
He, however, added that though developed countries need to take the bulk of the responsibility, developing countries and emerging economies need to do their part also. There is a need for a common agreement, he said. India has also been arguing that it should be given access to civilian nuclear energy which is the cleanest form of energy.
<b>In fact, one of the areas of co-operation that Norway is interested in is in introducing technologies in India that would cut down pollution. One such project is a carbon capture and storage project, where C02 in injected into geological formations. Norway has implemented in two projects back there, he said, and added that his country is keen to introduce the project in India.</b>
8 Feb, 2008
NEW DELHI: Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said his country recognised Indiaâs right to energy in the civilian nuclear area, but said there is a need to find a âconsensus based-solutionâ within the 44-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) on granting a waiver to India to carry out international civilian nuclear trade.
Without stating Norwayâs position on India getting an exemption in the NSG, Mr Stoltenberg told ET: âWe strongly believe we should find a consensus which solves the challenges we face regarding the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement. We believe that the only way is to find a solution.â
However, Mr Stoltenberg, who clearly indicated that there are sticking points on the matter, said Norway recognised Indiaâs right to meeting its energy demands. âWe are engaged and we will support to find a consensus-based solution, because this is the only way,â he added.
His remarks indicated that if and when India does get to the NSG, where it needs a consensus decision, it will not be a smooth sailing. Countries like Ireland, Sweden and New Zealand have criticised the deal at past NSG meetings, saying it would weaken the non-proliferation regime, while countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland and Austria are known to be strong proponents of the non-proliferation regime.
Many NSG members are also waiting for India to conclude negotiating a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) before taking a position on the matter.
Meanwhile, Mr Stoltenberg, whose third visit to India is focused on climate change, said Norway understood Indiaâs position on climate change. India has argued successfully that it would not agree to emission controls that will affect the growth of the economy. Mr Stoltenberg agreed that emission controls could not come at the cost of development.
âWe recognise Indiaâs right to develop. Global warming is a problem mainly from emissions from rich countries since the industrial period. So rich countries have to take the main responsibility for emission reduction. We canât say that people of India donât have access to electricity or to have car or economic development,â the Prime Minister said.
He, however, added that though developed countries need to take the bulk of the responsibility, developing countries and emerging economies need to do their part also. There is a need for a common agreement, he said. India has also been arguing that it should be given access to civilian nuclear energy which is the cleanest form of energy.
<b>In fact, one of the areas of co-operation that Norway is interested in is in introducing technologies in India that would cut down pollution. One such project is a carbon capture and storage project, where C02 in injected into geological formations. Norway has implemented in two projects back there, he said, and added that his country is keen to introduce the project in India.</b>