Exemption for India at NSG to be Consistent with Hyde Act: US
Feb 14, 2008 (The Times of India)
WASHINGTON: The Bush administration has said an agreement between India and the Nuclear Suppliers Group which will allow New Delhi to engage in nuclear trade will be supported by the US only if it is "consistent" with the Hyde Act. "We will support nothing with India in the NSG that is in contradiction to the Hyde Act. It will have to be completely consistent with the obligations of the Hyde Act," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told the House Foreign Affairs Panel. Rice said if the Bush administration did not adhere to the Hyde Act - which, according to opposition parties in India, takes away the country's nuclear sovereignty - US lawmakers will eventually refuse to pass the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal if and when it comes up in the Congress. "We'll have to be consistent with the Hyde Act or I don't believe we can count on the Congress to make the next step," Rice said in response to a query from the Chairman of the panel, Howard Berman.
Pakistan Tests Nuclear-Capable Missile: Army
Feb 13, 2008 (AFP)
ISLAMABAD (AFP) — Pakistani troops fired a short-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile during exercises on Wednesday in the third such training launch in as many weeks, the army said. Soldiers from the country's strategic force command carried out a "successful" launch of the Hatf III (Ghaznavi) missile, which has a range of 290 kilometres (180 miles), an army statement said. The launch was witnessed by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro and army chief Ashfaq Kayani, the statement added, saying that more details would be announced later. Pakistan and India have routinely conducted missile tests since the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours carried out tit-for-tat atomic detonations in May 1998. In February 2007 Pakistan and India signed a deal to cut the risk of atomic weapons accidents. The two countries have an agreement to notify each other about tests of ballistic missiles but not cruise missiles.
Russia and India Strike Deal For Four More Nuclear Reactors
Feb 13, 2008 (Asia News)
New Delhi (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Russian counterpart Victor Zubkov agreed that Russia will build four additional nuclear reactors at Kudankulam, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where Moscow is already building two light water nuclear power reactors. The two sides also signed agreements in the areas of oil, gas, transportation, energy, engineering and defence. Officials said however that the construction of new reactors will begin only after the Nuclear Suppliers Group, which controls global nuclear commerce, lifts a three-decade old embargo on atomic trade with India because of its nuclear weapons programme. India is in fact negotiating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to lose its status as a nuclear pariah following nuclear tests in 1998. Two years ago India signed a nuclear co-operation agreement with the United States which has not yet been implemented because of leftwing opposition in India and IAEA sanctions imposed in 1998.
Nuclear Deal Could Be Delayed: Canadian Envoy
Feb 13, 2008 (The Hindu)
KOCHI: Canada’s High Commissioner to India David M. Malone said on Tuesday that the India-U.S. nuclear deal would probably be put off by a year or two, “unless something changes politically in Delhi.” Interacting with the faculty and students of the School of Management Studies on the Cochin University of Science and Technology campus here, he said countries such as Russia and France, which would like to cooperate actively with India in this area, would wait along with the U.S. “The urgency for Canada to think about all of these was less than it would be if it had to adopt a decision in the Nuclear Suppliers Group next week,” he said. Terming the deal a very exciting topic, he said: “Everything depends on what politicians in Delhi would decide in the coming weeks and months and what the next American government decides, if it does not go through now.” Pointing out that 45 countries (members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group) had a veto over the agreement, he said that was the nature of international relations today.
U.S. Plans to Work With India to Implement Nuclear Agreement
Feb 13, 2008 (Bloomgberg)
The U.S. says it will work with the Indian government to implement a stalled nuclear energy accord between the two nations, a key element of President George W. Bush's foreign policy. ``This agreement is one that we have done very carefully,'' Dana Perino, White House spokeswoman, said at a press briefing yesterday. ``We are trying to work with India and will continue to work with them to make it happen.'' The agreement, first presented in 2005, has been delayed by opposition from India's communist parties, key allies of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government. The Bush government is trying to expedite the deal before the U.S. presidential election scheduled for later this year…The communists say the agreement will tie India, which hasn't signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to U.S. interests for four decades, the tenure of the agreement. Under the proposed agreement, the U.S. would accept that India, which exploded nuclear devices in 1974 and 1998, operates its civilian and military programs outside the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty.
Swamy Flays Left on Nuclear Deal
Feb 12, 2008 (The Hindu)
CHENNAI: Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy on Monday described as “knee jerk anti-Americanism and pathological hatred of the Leftists for the US,” the Left Front’s reaction to U.S. Ambassador David Mulford’s remark, during a television interview, that the civil nuclear agreement was a now or never offer to India. In a statement here, he said the Ambassador was “stating a fact since the Indian government negotiated the deal all the way with the U.S. giving the impression that it will sign the deal while keeping the Indian opposition parties out of the loop of negotiations on such a crucial matter.” India should have made clear on day one that no deal would be signed unless the U.S. formally first recognised India as a nuclear weapons power. That was the objection of the democratic opposition in India. Till that objection was met, India could live with “never” option offered by the U.S. Ambassador, Dr. Swamy said.
IAEA on Board?
Feb 12, 2008 (Little India)
India is within weeks of striking a deal with the International Atomic Energy Agency on its civilian nuclear program. French President Nicolas Sarkozy told Indian reporters at a press conference in New Delhi, "To the best of my knowledge, it's only a matter of weeks and the authorization (from the IAEA) will be given." The deal with the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency is a key step in finalizing India's landmark atomic energy pact with the United States. The country hopes to establish similar agreements with France and other nuclear powers. "India has never proliferated, and it has made it clear that it wants to separate its civil nuclear program from its military one,'' Sarkozy said. The Indo-U.S. nuclear deal has run into opposition in both countries.
CPM Reiterates Opposition to Nuclear Deal
Feb 12, 2008 (The Times of India)
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM general secretary Prakash Karat on Monday reiterated his party's opposition to the India-US nuke deal and said the Left would not allow the Centre to forge any strategic alliance with the US. Inaugurating the party's Kerala state conference in Kottayam, Karat sounded the CPM's traditional anti-US bugle. He said the party had made it clear to the Congress that the Left won't allow any strategic ties with the US and the government should go to the people for a fresh mandate if it was bent on pursuing such a stance. Criticizing US foreign policy, he said the country had not however been successful in its "imperialistic designs."
Russia, India Reiterate Nuclear, Hydrocarbon Plans
Feb 12, 2008 (Bloomberg)
Feb. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Russia and India today reiterated plans to jointly set up hydrocarbon projects and build nuclear power generation units in the South Asian nation in an effort to improve economic and political ties. ``I expressed my hope that the ongoing discussions between our oil and gas companies would result in finalization of joint projects in India, Russia and third countries,'' Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told reporters in New Delhi today. He spoke at a joint briefing held with Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov. The two countries will try to achieve the target of doubling trade to $10 billion by 2010, Zubkov said. Russia and India are negotiating accords discussed when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India in January 2007. India needs civilian nuclear technology from the U.S., Russia, France and other nations to meet its target of adding 40,000 megawatts of nuclear power by 2020 as demand increases in the world's second-fastest growing major economy.
India, Russia to Discuss Gorshkov, Nuke Deal
Feb 11, 2008 (Sify News)
New Delhi: India and Russia will discuss expansion of business ties and energy cooperation, including nuclear energy and hydrocarbons, during Russian Prime Minister Victor A Zubkov's maiden visit to the country on Tuesday. A host of crucial issues will be on the table, including bilateral civil nuclear cooperation and the escalation in the price of aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh holds talks with his Russian counterpart. Five pacts in the field of aviation and telecom are likely to be signed after the talks, official sources said. Zubkov will formally inaugurate the Year of Russia in India late Tuesday with a gala concert against the magnificent ruins of the 16th century Purana Qila fort. Like other visiting foreign leaders, Zubkov too has a date with the Taj Mahal in Agra before he heads back to Moscow on Wednesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin was expected to come to India to open the Year of Russia in India, but he couldn't come due to his preoccupations with the Presidential polls scheduled for March 2008.
US Envoy Suggests 'Now or Never' for Indian Nuclear Accord
Feb 10, 2008 (Voice of America)
The U.S. envoy to India has broken a long silence regarding the stalemate in the proposed nuclear cooperation agreement between New Delhi and Washington. As Steve Herman reports from the Indian capital, the American ambassador's comment is being viewed as a blunt warning to New Delhi to move ahead with the pact. In remarks broadcast by an Indian cable television news channel, U.S. Ambassador David Mulford warned time is running out for India to clear the remaining hurdles if it wants to enact a controversial nuclear cooperation deal with the United States. The deal is seen as crucial for helping India's growing economy overcome energy shortages in the years ahead. In an interview with the CNN-IBN channel, Ambassador Mulford said elections in the U.S. will put a new administration in the White House and change the face of congress from next January. He says that means the window of opportunity for India to finalize the nuclear deal is closing.
Burns Says “Time is Wasting” on India Nuclear Deal
Feb 8, 2008 (Reuters)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Saying "time is wasting," U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said on Friday he hoped India could quickly get international approvals needed for the U.S.-India civil nuclear deal to go through this year. The agreement would give India access to U.S. nuclear fuel and equipment for the first time in 30 years even though New Delhi has tested nuclear weapons and refused to join nonproliferation agreements. Proponents argue the deal will be the cornerstone of a new strategic relationship between the two nations. Some Indians, however, feel it infringes on their sovereignty while some nonproliferation advocates believe it undermines the global system designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. To go into effect, the pact has to clear three hurdles. India must reach an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency to place its civilian nuclear reactors under U.N. safeguards and it must get clearance from the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group that governs global civilian nuclear trade.
Future Nuclear Reactors May Come Up in Populated Areas
Feb 8, 2008 (The Hindu)
New Delhi (PTI): Future nuclear power reactors could come up near populated areas as scientists develop newer and safer technologies to generate clean energy. The much-awaited Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) may be the first reactor to come up in populated areas like the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The pre-licensing review of the technology demonstrator reactor has been completed by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and BARC is making a case for reducing the exclusion zone for the reactor. "We may be able to reduce the exclusion zone around the reactor. Now it is 1.6 km radius from the reactor. But it (the proposed reduction) has to be approved by the Regulatory Board," BARC Director Srikumar Banerjee told PTI on the sidelines of the Convocation Ceremony of Indian Agriculture Research Institute here on Friday. A relaxation in the exclusion zone will enable to have the reactor in populated places. Right now no the reactors cannot be placed there, he said.
India Shoots Out of Iran's Orbit
Feb 8, 2008 (Asia Times)
NEW DELHI - India's traditionally friendly relations with Iran have come under unprecedented strain because of the launching of an Israeli spy satellite by an Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) rocket. This comes in addition to recent tensions caused by India's refusal to attend talks to complete a commercial deal on a proposed Iran-India-Pakistan gas pipeline. The satellite, launched a fortnight ago, is equipped with a synthetic aperture radar, which captures images of small as well as large objects day and night while penetrating cloud cover. It is widely believed to be designed to enable Israel to track activities in its neighborhood, in particular, activities pertaining to Iran's nuclear program.
India Has Right to N-energy: Norway
Feb 8, 2008 (The Economic Times)
NEW DELHI: Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said his country recognised India’s right to energy in the civilian nuclear area, but said there is a need to find a consensus based-solution within the 44-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) on granting a waiver to India to carry out international civilian nuclear trade. Without stating Norway’s position on India getting an exemption in the NSG, Mr Stoltenberg told ET: We 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. However, Mr Stoltenberg, who clearly indicated that there are sticking points on the matter, said Norway recognised India’s right to meeting its energy demands. We are engaged and we will support to find a consensus-based solution, because this is the only way, he added.
Babacan: Turkey and India Can Cooperate in Nuclear Energy
Feb 8, 2008 (The New Anatolian)
Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Friday Turkey and India can cooperate in nuclear energy because Turkey is interested in nuclear energy projects to meet its energy demand. "Turkey is close to oil and gas beds thanks to its unique location, and therefore it has an increasing role in world energy diplomacy," Babacan told members of the Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry in New Delhi. Babacan said Turkey can extend the oil pipeline that goes from Turkey to Israel via Mediterranean till India, and they can implement this project if Turkey, Israel and India reach an agreement. On the other hand, Babacan said Turkey is very suitable for foreign investments…In the meantime, Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry signed a cooperation platform protocol.
More Powers for Nuclear Power Corporation
Feb 7, 2008 (India Muslims)
New Delhi : Even as the fate of the India-US nuclear deal remains uncertain, the cabinet Thursday agreed to give more financial powers to the board of directors of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). The enhancement of powers will enable NPCIL to incur capital expenditure, make investment towards establishing financial joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries in India or abroad, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh…The cabinet decision is seen as a reaffirmation of the government's vision of making nuclear energy an indispensable part of the country's quest for energy security which will remain unaffected regardless of the fate of the nuclear deal. The India-US nuclear deal, which aims at the resumption of global civil nuclear commerce with India, is bogged down in domestic politics with the Left allies of the Indian government fiercely opposing it.
Democrats May Revise Nuclear Deal If Elected:C Kupchan
Feb 7, 2008 (Moneycontrol.com)
According to Mr. Charles Kupchan, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations, USA, the Democrats may want to revise the US India Civil Nuclear Deal if they are elected to office next year. Mr. Kupchan was speaking at a session on “After Bush: The Collapse of Bipartisanship and the Implications for US Foreign Policy” organized by The Aspen Institute India in New Delhi today. He felt that the Democrats may go ahead with the deal but may link it to India’s support on issues such as Iran etc. According to Mr. Kupchan, the next President of the US will be presiding over a deeply divided country. He observed that the President will take office with the most inauspicious set of geopolitical circumstances imaginable. Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan etc. He felt that American Foreign Policy will be erratic during this period as the US will be going through an inward looking phase. It will look towards other countries such as Europe and India to fill the void that the US will leave behind in many parts of the world.
India, Russia to Talk Business; Nuclear Pact on Backburner
Feb 7, 2008 (India Muslims)
New Delhi : Russian Prime Minister Victor Zubkov comes here next week to kick off a Year of Russia in India and to open the second trade and investment forum, but no bilateral pact on civil nuclear cooperation will be signed during the visit. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet Zubkov Feb 12 and discuss with him an entire gamut of bilateral, regional and global issues, including trade, defence ties and civil nuclear cooperation…The issue of expanding civil nuclear cooperation will be discussed but an agreement on building additional reactors at Kudankulam will not be signed this time round also. Although Moscow was not very happy when India did not sign it during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit in November last year, it has come to accept New Delhi's position that it will be unrealistic to go ahead with the pact without a rule change by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). The two countries have frozen the text of bilateral civil nuclear cooperation and are waiting for the right time to sign it.
US to Continue Cooperation with India to Complete N-deal
Feb 7, 2008 (NDTV)
The United States has said it will ''continue cooperation'' with India to achieve the goal of getting the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement completed. White House Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto was asked in his briefing as to where the two sides stand on the accord given that Washington's pointsman for the deal, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, is scheduled to depart the State Department by the end of March. ''We'll continue our cooperation in order to achieve that goal of getting the agreement completed,'' Fratto said. Burns is stepping down from the Foreign Service at the end of March but US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that he will continue in the capacity of an Envoy on the civilian nuclear deal. Political analysts here have cautioned that the deal is running out of time and that the ball is in India's court to move it along.
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