NSG's final statement strikes balance between India's 'red lines' and NPT 'safeguards'

08 September 2008

New Delhi: The fine print of the Nuclear Suppliers Group decision to lift its three decade-long embargo on nuclear commerce with India is finally out and a quick scan shows the fine balance it seeks to maintain in accommodating India's 'red lines' and its demand for a 'clean' exemption against  the comprehensive international safeguards sought by the NPT ayatollahs.

The two-page 'NSG's Statement on Civil Nuclear Cooperation with India' states that the body approves the transfer of ''trigger list items and/or related technologies to India for peaceful purposes for use in IAEA safeguarded civil nuclear facilities'' and ''nuclear-related dual-use equipment, materials, software and related technologies'', provided India adheres to the NSG's guidelines (INFCIRC/254/Part 1 and INFCIRC/254/Part 2 respectively).

(See: NSG statement on India)

This clears enrichment and reprocessing transfers from NSG member states, which is a critical requirement for India if it is to set up imported light water reactors in the country.

Paragraph 2g of the statement takes specific note of India's voluntary commitment on ''continuing its unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing, and its readiness to work with others towards the conclusion of a multilateral Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty''.

On the issue of imposition of permanent safeguards on Indian facilities, Paragraph 2a refers to India's March 2006 ''separation plan'', under which India will put at least eight additional nuclear power reactors under IAEA safeguards by 2014 over and above the current six.