India refuses `amendments' to nuclear deal with US
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, May 5, IRNA
India-US-Nuclear
India clearly refused "amendments" to the civil nuclear agreement signed with the US rejecting reported suggestions in this regard by Washington.
"I have seen the press reports in which US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, was quoted as saying India should be ready for some amendments in the agreement. The Government of India's position remains that our commitments are to those that are outlined in the joint statement of 18th July, 2005," said Navtej Sarna, spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs here Thursday evening.
He was responding to a question about Rice telling an Indian Parliamentary delegation in Washington that India must be prepared to accept "amendments" to the agreement signed between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President George W Bush on 2nd March.
"She (Rice) did not say basic (changes to the framework) but that India should be prepared, should be ready for some amendments which will be within the framework but it depends how Congress interprets," Rajya Sabha MP Shahid Siddique, a member of the delegation, quoted Rice as saying.
Siddique further maintained that there are going to be amendments and "we should be ready for it."
Currently being debated in the US Congress, the agreement after approval by the American Parliament will end a 32-year-old ban on trade with India in nuclear technology and fuel.
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