US vows to support India's nuclear waiver

India has an ambitious nuclear programme
and in 2008 won a special exemption from
nuclear rules
© AFP

AFP

NEW DELHI - The United States will support India's continued exemption from global nuclear trade rules despite moves to tighten up restrictions, the US ambassador to India said on Thursday.

Last week the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), which governs global nuclear trade, decided to tighten guidelines for transfers of sensitive uranium enrichment and reprocessing technology.

India, which has a electricity deficit, has an ambitious nuclear programme and won a special exemption in 2008 from NSG rules, which was negotiated by the United States.

India to press ahead on nuclear power

India's Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma
© AFP/File Mandel Ngan

AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - India's commerce minister has called for more cooperation with the United States on nuclear energy and brushed aside talk of scrapping ambitious plans in the wake of Japan's Fukushima crisis.

On a visit to Washington, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said he has faced questions on whether India should rethink its nuclear energy policy and responded flatly: "My answer was no."

While supporting safety reviews of nuclear establishments, Sharma said: "We are very clear it is an absolute must in the bouquet of energy resources which have to be accessed."