New Delhi, September 6
External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee today asserted that the NSG waiver was a unique development that has been achieved in accordance with commitments given to Parliament and the people of India and was consistent with the country’s national interest.
“The final outcome is consistent with government policy and the national consensus on disarmament and non-proliferation,” he said at a press conference soon after the NSG gave its nod to the India-specific waiver at its meeting in Vienna. Mukherjee said the NSG decision would open a new chapter in India’s cooperation with other countries in peaceful uses of nuclear energy. “We look forward to working with our international partners in realising the full potential of mutually beneficial cooperation that this decision entails. It is a development of major significance to global energy security and would also be a contribution to meeting the challenges of climate change.’’
Mukherjee played a pivotal role in giving final touches to the revised text of the draft presented by the Americans at the NSG for giving a waiver to India. His statement yesterday, committing India to a voluntary unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing, heavily tilted the balance in favour of the NSG giving its nod to the nuclear deal. The Austrians, who were the most vocal in opposing the waiver, have gone on record, saying Mukherjee’s statement had gone a long way in allaying their apprehensions about India’s nuclear programme.
The foreign minister said the NSG decision constituted a major landmark. “I would like to take the opportunity to place on record the government’s deep appreciation for the untiring efforts of the US, France, UK and Russia throughout this process and also the support received from the present and previous Chairs of the NSG-Germany, South Africa and Brazil.”
He also thanked US President George W Bush and secretary of state Condoleezza Rice for their personal commitment and contribution to the process.
