This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7609619.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
India negotiating nuclear deals | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
India is negotiating pacts with France, Russia and other countries for the import of civilian nuclear power plants, foreign ministry officials say. | |
The announcement follows a move by the Nuclear Suppliers Group to lift a ban that had stopped India from getting access to the global atomic market. | The announcement follows a move by the Nuclear Suppliers Group to lift a ban that had stopped India from getting access to the global atomic market. |
Officials say that pacts will only be completed once the US Congress approves a civilian nuclear deal with India. | Officials say that pacts will only be completed once the US Congress approves a civilian nuclear deal with India. |
The deal has now been sent by President Bush to Congress for ratification. | The deal has now been sent by President Bush to Congress for ratification. |
'Dangerous precedent' | 'Dangerous precedent' |
"Following the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) statement which enables civil nuclear cooperation by NSG members with India, the government is taking steps to realise commercial co-operation with foreign partners," foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said. | |
Indian PM Manmohan Singh has described the deal as "momentous" | Indian PM Manmohan Singh has described the deal as "momentous" |
He said that Delhi was moving towards bilateral agreements with "friendly partner countries such as France and Russia". | He said that Delhi was moving towards bilateral agreements with "friendly partner countries such as France and Russia". |
Officials say that the deals with both countries are ready for signing. | Officials say that the deals with both countries are ready for signing. |
India says the deal with the US is vital for it to meet its civil energy demands. | India says the deal with the US is vital for it to meet its civil energy demands. |
But critics say it creates a dangerous precedent - effectively allowing India to expand its nuclear power industry without requiring it to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as other nations must. | But critics say it creates a dangerous precedent - effectively allowing India to expand its nuclear power industry without requiring it to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as other nations must. |
They say the deal would undermine the arguments for isolating Iran over its nuclear programme and be a disaster for international non-proliferation efforts. | They say the deal would undermine the arguments for isolating Iran over its nuclear programme and be a disaster for international non-proliferation efforts. |
The agreement is the centrepiece of US efforts to bolster ties with India. | The agreement is the centrepiece of US efforts to bolster ties with India. |
However, the Bush administration must attempt to rush it through Congress before legislators break to prepare for November's elections - held at the same time as the presidential vote. | However, the Bush administration must attempt to rush it through Congress before legislators break to prepare for November's elections - held at the same time as the presidential vote. |
'Peaceful cooperation' | 'Peaceful cooperation' |
Late on Wednesday, the White House said in a statement that it was sending the text of the agreement to lawmakers, who returned to work on Monday. | Late on Wednesday, the White House said in a statement that it was sending the text of the agreement to lawmakers, who returned to work on Monday. |
"The proposed agreement provides a comprehensive framework for US peaceful nuclear cooperation with India," the statement said. | "The proposed agreement provides a comprehensive framework for US peaceful nuclear cooperation with India," the statement said. |
India's communists have opposed the US deal | India's communists have opposed the US deal |
"It permits the transfer of information, non-nuclear material, nuclear material, equipment (including reactors) and components for nuclear research and nuclear power production. It does not permit transfers of any restricted data." | "It permits the transfer of information, non-nuclear material, nuclear material, equipment (including reactors) and components for nuclear research and nuclear power production. It does not permit transfers of any restricted data." |
According to the statement, "sensitive nuclear technology, heavy-water production technology and production facilities, sensitive nuclear facilities, and major critical components of such facilities" would not be transferred under the deal. | According to the statement, "sensitive nuclear technology, heavy-water production technology and production facilities, sensitive nuclear facilities, and major critical components of such facilities" would not be transferred under the deal. |
The statement said that the agreement would remain in force for 40 years and thereafter for additional periods of 10 years unless either party gave notice to terminate it. | The statement said that the agreement would remain in force for 40 years and thereafter for additional periods of 10 years unless either party gave notice to terminate it. |
Last week, the deal crossed a crucial hurdle when the 45-nation NSG approved it. | Last week, the deal crossed a crucial hurdle when the 45-nation NSG approved it. |
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the decision marked "the end of India's decades-long isolation from the nuclear mainstream and of the technology denial regime". | Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the decision marked "the end of India's decades-long isolation from the nuclear mainstream and of the technology denial regime". |
The US restricted nuclear co-operation with India after it tested a nuclear weapon in 1974. | The US restricted nuclear co-operation with India after it tested a nuclear weapon in 1974. |