Nuclear group delays decision on India trade ban

The Associated Press
Aug 22, 2008

VIENNA: The global body that governs the legal trade in nuclear materials postponed a decision Friday on whether to give New Delhi access to nuclear fuel and technology — a blow to a landmark deal between Washington and New Delhi. The Nuclear Suppliers Group's approval of an exemption to its rules is essential for finalizing the civil nuclear cooperation deal. The pact would reverse more than three decades of U.S. policy by allowing the sale of nuclear materials to India, a country that has not signed international nonproliferation accords — and has tested nuclear weapons. The 45-nation suppliers group said in a statement Friday that it will meet again soon to continue its deliberations on an agreement. Earlier this month, India fulfilled one prerequisite for the deal by striking an inspections agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. After the NSG agrees to waive its rules for India, the deal would need approval by the U.S. Congress.