Click to play videoNew Delhi/Vienna: The Day One of the Nuclear Suppliers Group meeting in Vienna ended without any consensus on a waiver for India.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told CNN-IBN no good news emerged out of the meeting but diplomats in Vienna were said to be hoping a breakthrough on Day Two on Friday.
The US put a positive spin on the day's developments though the impression remained that some members of the group and India haven't moved from their stated positions on the waiver
"The US believes firmly that the steps we are considering for India will strengthen non-proliferation and help to welcome one of the world's largest economies and biggest democracies more fully into the global fold," William Burns said.
There is hope for India
CNN-IBN correspondent Sanjay Suri reported from Vienna that a short morning session was followed by members meeting to have consultations where they raised several important questions. “Some countries of the objecting countries have not been convinced by the new amended waiver text. If there are objections, there is also a strong push to overcome them,” he said.
Suri also reported the big sticking point in the talks was testing. Some of the countries want clear categorical language that would provide automatic end to trade if India were to test. “The new draft provides further reassurance against testing. Given the positive report, we are not in a stalemate situation. There is hope that there is movement towards the consensus that India has been looking for,” he said.
News agencies report the diplomats are expected to informally hammer out an acceptable formulation overnight, which can be brought to the table on Friday.
Some of them were confident of a breakthrough without the NSG having to meet for the third time to consider the revised American draft.
A NSG waiver is a key step in the operationalisation of the nuclear deal which will go to the US Congress for approval once the atomic cartel gives the green light.
The US draft has been amended after demands by a number of NSG countries to address non-proliferation concerns.
Anti-proliferation lobbyists feel that the amendment falls short of the demand made by some NSG countries for periodic review of India's adherence to the grouping's guidelines as a condition for granting the waiver, which has been opposed by New Delhi.
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