Click to play videoVienna: At the NSG meet in Vienna on Thursday, the US is still holding out some hope on building a consensus before the meeting ends on Friday night.
But experts believe that the final decision may take yet another round of talks.
The US Under Secretary of State, William Burns said, “I believe that we are making steady progress in this process and will continue to make progress. While a number of representatives here have raised questions that need to be addressed, our discussions have been constructive and clearly aimed at reaching an early consensus.”
The US is putting a positive spin on the day's developments at the Nuclear Suppliers Group meet, though the impression remained that some members of the group and India haven't moved from their stated positions on the waiver.
These NSG members like Austria and Ireland, said the revised draft falls short of what they want
They are referring to cutting off trade if India tests a bomb and the denial of transfer of fuel-enrichment technology that could be used for bomb making as well as periodic reviews of the waiver to see if India adheres to its promises.
The clouds of the leaked letter in the United States hang heavier on Delhi than at the meet in Vienna. Yet, at Vienna, the fact is that the doubts of the doubters haven’t gone away. India says it has gone as far as it can in the revised draft.
What NSG wants:
- Deal off if India tests a bomb
- No transfer of technology that can be used for making bombs
- Periodic reviews of the waiver
Where India stands:
- NSG members will consult each other if India tests
- Members will inform others about transfer of fuel, technologies to India
- India to assist NSG non-proliferation efforts
There is a consensus on the points like NSG members will consult each other in case India tests an atomic device and that each member-country will inform the others about the transfer of nuclear fuel and technologies to India.
India, on its part, promises to join NSG efforts to limit the spread of enrichment and reprocessing technologies.
Coming simultaneously with these developments is an apprehension in Delhi that the state department letter to the Congress leaked yesterday could encourage hardliners at the NSG. But that belief or fear is not shared across the board.
Nuclear Expert, K Subramaniam said, “The release of this document at this time is no doubt mischievous and was essentially aimed at creating trouble within the country, because the release of this is not going to influence the NSG countries.”
Minister of State for External Affairs, Anand Sharma feels too much noise is being created over a non-issue. He said, “I don't think why it is being linked to testing. It is an agreement which we have reached with US and we are seeking with the International community for civilian nuclear energy co-operation.”
Tomorrow is the ‘make or break’ session, at least for this round. As things stand, there are indications that discussions may spill over to a third session. And the big concern is that the signals coming out of India are not helping our case.
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