US to brief NSG on nuclear deal on Thursday

VIENNA: The 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), whose endorsement is crucial to operationalising the Indo-US nuclear deal, will be briefed about the deal by the US here on Thursday.

The US, which is pushing hard to implement the deal, is expected to explain in detail the importance of change of NSG guidelines to allow international nuclear trade with India.

In the backdrop political sensitivities back home, Atomic Energy Commission chief Anil Kakodkar is unlikely to attend the meeting.

India has to reach a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) soon and secure changes in NSG laws to get the deal going.

Facing questions from Indian reporters here, Kakodkar emphasised that it was US responsibility to get NSG exemption for India.

Kakodkar, who is attending the IAEA General Conference, underpinned the importance for expeditiously operationalising the deal. "It is in everybody's interest to conclude the nuclear deal sooner than later."

"Everyone in the nuclear community wants early negotiations between India and IAEA as also the NSG to implement the deal," he said.

But the top nuclear scientist made no direct mention on whether he will discuss the India-specific safeguards agreements with the IAEA during his current visit. "My lips are sealed on anything to do with the India-specific safeguards."

Kakodkar's comments came as the US spoke of the urgency to conclude the processes to get the deal going. "Time is of the essence" to take the last steps in operationalising the agreement, US Ambassador to India David Mulford said in New Delhi.

In Washington, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher said the US is trying to do its part with the NSG by way of providing answers to questions.

"I think both India and the United States have a role in that," he said.

"But the timing of all these... and how we are going to bring it to fruition is a Little bit unclear," Boucher said.

"We also know we have political timetables and it is better to move this as soon as possible," he said.

Upping their ante, Left parties have asked the UPA government to put the implementation of the deal on hold for six months or face a "political crisis".

"India has made its position very clear that it expects clean, unconditional exemption after recognising it as a unique country," Kakodkar said.

"The 123 agreement has made provision for sustained supply of fuel for the imported reactors and the NSG guidelines would have to be consistent with it. That is why we are emphasising on clean, unconditional exemption," he said.

He said these things have to be done in a "correct manner fully protecting Indian interests."

In a related development, Indian Ambassador to Austria Sheel Kant Sharma had a meeting with the NSG's Troika -- South Africa, Brazil and Germany (past, present and future leaders of the grouping) -- as part of an outreach programme of the NSG.