08-27-2008, 12:18 AM
Dr. M.R> Srinivasan weighs in
âUS may be pushing NSG members for draft waiver changeâ
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->âUS may be pushing NSG members for draft waiver changeâÂ
Mumbai, Aug 26: <b>Nuclear experts fear the US could be arm twisting India through backdoor by prodding smaller nations in the Nuclear Suppliers Group to bring amendments in the draft on providing waiver to India for nuclear commerce.</b>
<b>"It is quite likely the US could be arm twisting India through backdoor as if it gets a clean waiver, New Delhi might be having nuclear trade with 44 countries other than US in the NSG, especially France and Russia," Atomic Energy Commission member M R Srinivasan said.
"There is a possibility that Washington was putting pressure for conditionalities through some NSG members in an attempt to have the leverage over India in the purchase of reactor technology from the US," said some other experts who did not wish to be identified.</b>
India has been seeking a clean and unconditional waiver from NSG which controls the global nuclear trade. Last week's NSG meet on the key issue failed to work out a consensus on the issue after Austria, New Zealand, Switzerland and Ireland opposed unconditional waiver for India. The NSG is meeting next week again to deliberate on the issue.
India may have to wait for global civilian nuclear cooperation till the 45-member cartel take a "realistic" position on India-specific waiver, the experts said.
<b>"India may have to wait till such time when the Nuclear Suppliers Group takes a realistic position and works on ground realities instead of coming under pressure of certain powers," Srinivasan said.</b>
Srinivasan said <b>"in fact, NSG should be asking the P-5 countries (nuclear weapon states) and others on their non- proliferation record and details of their disarmament programme." </b>
He was replying to a question whether India will walk out of the nuclear deal with the US if NSG does not reach a consensus on giving the waiver during the group's next meet.
NSG should be more concerned with the growing number of weapons in those countries who have either signed NPT or CTBT, he said.
<b>Experts said that at no point India should allow the US to misuse its negotiating position with NSG. "The terms have to be fair and clean." </b>
India must get a level-playing field while shopping for nuclear technology, they noted. <b>"Otherwise, there was no point in investing time and resources if we are made to toe the US line as in the case of Tarapur (where America reneged on its commitment to provide reactor fuel)." </b>
US nuclear technology is not at par with others and the nuclear agreement would allow India to explore markets of other advanced technologies, the experts said.
<b>Even as the draft waiver is being re-visited, India clearly reserves the right to walk out if extraneous conditions are imposed. If so, the failure would not be on the part of India, Srinivasan asserted. </b>
Bureau Report
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Quite clear statement. There are two gropus of people here. Those who are named and are not afraid to be named. The anonymous experts are those in govt and cant talk for fear Official Secrets Act. And we have seen a vindictive PMO shows the Emergency is not to be forgotten- M.J. Akbar etc.
I am more worried about AK's health with all this travel and having to take the pressure instead of elected representatives who collect bank accounts and let him face the heat.
âUS may be pushing NSG members for draft waiver changeâ
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->âUS may be pushing NSG members for draft waiver changeâÂ
Mumbai, Aug 26: <b>Nuclear experts fear the US could be arm twisting India through backdoor by prodding smaller nations in the Nuclear Suppliers Group to bring amendments in the draft on providing waiver to India for nuclear commerce.</b>
<b>"It is quite likely the US could be arm twisting India through backdoor as if it gets a clean waiver, New Delhi might be having nuclear trade with 44 countries other than US in the NSG, especially France and Russia," Atomic Energy Commission member M R Srinivasan said.
"There is a possibility that Washington was putting pressure for conditionalities through some NSG members in an attempt to have the leverage over India in the purchase of reactor technology from the US," said some other experts who did not wish to be identified.</b>
India has been seeking a clean and unconditional waiver from NSG which controls the global nuclear trade. Last week's NSG meet on the key issue failed to work out a consensus on the issue after Austria, New Zealand, Switzerland and Ireland opposed unconditional waiver for India. The NSG is meeting next week again to deliberate on the issue.
India may have to wait for global civilian nuclear cooperation till the 45-member cartel take a "realistic" position on India-specific waiver, the experts said.
<b>"India may have to wait till such time when the Nuclear Suppliers Group takes a realistic position and works on ground realities instead of coming under pressure of certain powers," Srinivasan said.</b>
Srinivasan said <b>"in fact, NSG should be asking the P-5 countries (nuclear weapon states) and others on their non- proliferation record and details of their disarmament programme." </b>
He was replying to a question whether India will walk out of the nuclear deal with the US if NSG does not reach a consensus on giving the waiver during the group's next meet.
NSG should be more concerned with the growing number of weapons in those countries who have either signed NPT or CTBT, he said.
<b>Experts said that at no point India should allow the US to misuse its negotiating position with NSG. "The terms have to be fair and clean." </b>
India must get a level-playing field while shopping for nuclear technology, they noted. <b>"Otherwise, there was no point in investing time and resources if we are made to toe the US line as in the case of Tarapur (where America reneged on its commitment to provide reactor fuel)." </b>
US nuclear technology is not at par with others and the nuclear agreement would allow India to explore markets of other advanced technologies, the experts said.
<b>Even as the draft waiver is being re-visited, India clearly reserves the right to walk out if extraneous conditions are imposed. If so, the failure would not be on the part of India, Srinivasan asserted. </b>
Bureau Report
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Quite clear statement. There are two gropus of people here. Those who are named and are not afraid to be named. The anonymous experts are those in govt and cant talk for fear Official Secrets Act. And we have seen a vindictive PMO shows the Emergency is not to be forgotten- M.J. Akbar etc.
I am more worried about AK's health with all this travel and having to take the pressure instead of elected representatives who collect bank accounts and let him face the heat.