Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Indian PM speaks to world leaders to garner support for Indo-US nuke deal

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, July 26, IRNA
India-Nuke Deal-PM
India's Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had talks with some world leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country is in the chair of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), to garner support for the implementation of the Indo-US nuclear deal.

Besides Ms. Merkel, Dr. Manmohan Singh held telephone conversations with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, whose countries are key members of the 45-nation NSG.

According to All India Radio (AIR) report, during the talks, the Prime Minister is understood to have sought their support for India's case in the NSG, which has to give a waiver to allow New Delhi to have civil nuclear cooperation with the international community.

Meanwhile, in Vienna, the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA Friday briefed all its member states on the India-specific safeguards agreement, ahead of the crucial meeting of the Board of Governors on August one.

The draft agreement between India and the IAEA for application of safeguards to civilian nuclear facilities was circulated among the 144 member states on the 9th of this month.

The government has already started sending its ministers and some senior officials to various NSG countries to muster support.

Medvedev, Brown and Merkel are understood to have congratulated Singh on his victory in the confidence motion.

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