Washington: The US has said that the Nuclear
Suppliers Group's decision to approve a set of new guidelines
on sensitive nuclear trade has brought India closer to its
integration with global atomic commerce.
"We were very pleased with this particular meeting of the
Nuclear Suppliers Group. With regard to the Indian
relationship to the group, I think we believe that we did make
some progress in bringing India closer, and that conversation
will continue," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland
said at her daily news conference on Friday.
"We feel that the Nuclear Suppliers Group made some
progress this time in bringing India closer," Nuland said.
On Thursday, the White House had welcomed the new set of
guidelines on sensitive nuclear trade approved by the
46-nation NSG.
"This administration remains committed to ensuring that
nations in good standing can have access to peaceful nuclear
energy without increasing the risks of nuclear weapons
proliferation," White House press secretary Jay Carney had
said.
This latest step, coupled with the agreement last
December to establish an International Atomic Energy Agency
nuclear fuel bank, advances the US President's nuclear agenda
laid out in Prague in 2009, the White House said.
"It further demonstrates the clear determination of
nations to strengthen the international non-proliferation
regime and build new frameworks for civil nuclear
cooperation," Carney said.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, June 25, 2011, 11:24