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India wants NSG waiver but not at any cost: Kakodkar

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Aug 26, IRNA
India-Nuke Cooperation-Kakodkar
Amid apprehensions that the amended Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) draft waiver for New Delhi's nuclear commerce could include language that would bind the country, India has said it wants civil nuclear cooperation but not 'at any cost' and asserted that it will not accept any 'conditions'.

Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar made it clear that India will not allow itself to be 'pushed' over the nuclear deal and it will accept the waiver only if it is within the parameters of July 18, 2005 Indo-US Joint Statement.

"India is looking for acceptable NSG exemption, clean exemption with no additional conditions and the parameters have to be within the parameters of July 18, 2005 understanding with the US," Kakodkar told reporters in Mumbai on Monday on the sidelines of a function at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Indian official media reported.

"Civil nuclear cooperation is important but that does not mean at any cost," he said.

On suggestions that the Nuclear Suppliers Group countries were trying to push India to accept a few changes in the draft, he said, "Civil nuclear cooperation is important and they may push India but India does not get pushed."
Kakodkar said, "Should we allow ourselves to be pushed? Are we not Indians? Are you not proud of yourself and what you are doing?" His remarks came as India and the US prepared to amend the draft waiver because of demands articulated by several NSG countries at last week's meeting of the 45-nation grouping.

Meanwhile, the United States has affirmed its commitment to work with India in securing a clean waiver from the 45 member nuclear suppliers group.

US Ambassador to India David C. Mulford said that his country is committed to work with New Delhi to rapidly complete the remaining steps necessary for operationalizing the Indo-US Nuclear deal including the key step to get a nod from NSG.

He said in a statement in New Delhi that both India and the United States stand shoulder-to-shoulder in their desire for a clean exemption and will continue to persuade the NSG countries that waiver will be in the best interest of the international community.

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