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No 'proof' to establish Iran was developing nuclear weapons: Russia

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, June 17, IRNA
India-US Nuke-Russia
While denying that Iran is developing nuclear weapons, Russian Ambassador to New Delhi Vyacheslav Trubnikov Tuesday said: "There was no 'proof' so far to establish that Iran was developing a nuclear weapons."

Interacting with media persons at the opening of the modern, multi-media center of the Russian news agency Ria-Novosti here, Vyacheslav Trubnikov said, "We support the right of Iran to have access to modern, peaceful nuclear technology. Russia will support Iran to the extent of fulfilling its expectation for lawful and legal sharing of nuclear technology. But we cannot support any attempt by Iran to develop a military program."

Referring to Indo-US nuclear deal, Russian envoy strongly supported the Indo-US civil nuclear deal but was not willing to link India's case with that of Iran, whose nuclear program has come under criticism from different parts of the world, particularly the US.

"In my personal assessment, in principle, by-and-large the Indo-US nuclear deal is useful for India," he said adding that sooner or later this deal will be signed, probably with some modifications as not only India and the US but the world is interested in it.

"India should sign the nuclear deal (with US). The sooner is better than later," he said, adding the agreement would the open doors for New Delhi for expanded cooperation in the field.

Trubnikov, however, said it was for India to decide 'at what price it has to strike the deal'.

His comments came amid the government's efforts to conclude the steps involved in the nuclear deal in the face of stiff resistance from Left allies.

The Left parties insist the deal will be a compromise of India's strategic interests and independent foreign policy.

Asked about the expansion of Indo-Russian civil nuclear cooperation, he said Moscow was bound by international obligations and would like India to conclude the safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and to get a waiver from the guidelines of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to participate in nuclear trade.

"We cannot violate international obligations as a NSG member. This is the very fact that the draft agreement between India and Russia has been initialled but not signed," he said.

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