Thaindian News

Vienna, Sep 4 (IANS) The 45-member Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) that controls the world’s nuclear fuel and equipment supply began two-day deliberations here Thursday to consider an exemption that will open nuclear trade with India.India wants “clean exemption” to the NSG’s existing guidelines that prevent nuclear commerce with countries which have not signed the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

But some members of the NSG want to bring in conditions that include stopping all commerce with India if it conducts a nuclear test in future.

The NSG’s guidelines prevent nuclear trade with a country like India that has not signed the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

India conducted a series of nuclear tests in May 1998 but has since declared a voluntary moratorium on further tests.

However, it has not signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) that prevents countries from conducting further tests.

India has already signed a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last month. It now needs a waiver from the NSG that will allow it to start nuclear commerce with the 45-member countries of the group.

Once India gets the waiver from the NSG, the 123 agreement can be put before the US Congress for its final approval. The two countries can then sign the India-US nuclear deal.