India's nuclear waiver is close to being clinched, and indications are the deal may be completed by Friday. After the first day’s talks in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the objections are much fewer and many more countries have come around to having India inside the nuclear tent. Diplomats were tightlipped, but sources said it may be possible to channel the objections into a tough chairman’s statement that could be attached to the actual waiver document.
More countries are coming out with understanding of India’s energy needs. Part of the whittling down of the objections has been due to the huge effort mounted by the US and other supplier countries on the naysayers in the NSG. Part of it is due to the very real threat that India may walk out from a less-than-complete waiver. The pressure has been relentless on the smaller countries, many of whom have been quietly supported by biggies like China.
According to sources, some of the conditions that even Japan was asking for have disappeared, in the larger interest of the relationship with India, a reason that is said to be working powerfully on many other countries as well. The pressure is intense to complete the process by Friday, something many countries favour. Certainly some of the countries said, "we think it should be done this time". This, however, was offset by others who predicted this would go on until another round for a decision.
It was significant, some said, that the NSG broke for lunch and did not return until 5pm — many here felt there was a definite reason, like agreeing on some particular language. Since India is insistent that its ‘‘ moratorium on testing’ ’ suffice, this could be included in the final document.
According to sources, William Burns and John Rood, the two heads of the US delegation, have parked themselves in Vienna for two days now, working on these countries, with some success, they say. As during the IAEA safeguards vote, the holdout group may be splintering again. Certainly, New Zealand is wavering , as is Netherlands and some said, even the Irish and Switzerland. Austria remains a committed nonnuclear party.
About an hour into the meeting on Thursday morning, US undersecretary William Burns walked out with a statement detailing the kind of work the US was doing to push the deal. "We have before us a historic opportunity to end India’s three-decades of isolation from the nuclear regime. That opportunity warrants extraordinary efforts we’re making. The US is determined to continue to do all we can by working with NSG partners and India to realize that opportunity," it said.
BJP, CPM up ante; ask govt to quit
The disclosure of the gap between the stated positions of India and the US over the nuclear deal has revived hostilities between the government and Opposition.
On Thursday, both BJP and Left attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for misleading Parliament, demanded an urgent session and the government's dismissal.
Pouncing upon the US state department's replies to some Congressmen, bringing out a disconnect between government's assurance on nuclear testing and the Bush administration's clarification that all sanctions would kick in should India conduct nuclear tests, the Opposition held Prime Minister Manmohan Singh guilty of breaching the privilege of Parliament.
BJP leaders Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie demanded that Parliament's session be convened within a week to allow for a privilege motion against the PM. CPM general secretary Prakash Karat also demanded an early monsoon session.
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