Post by bhumika on Jun 13, 2006 20:09:13 GMT 5.5
India-U.S. nuclear talks begin
Special Correspondent
Discussions likely to centre on "123 agreement" that will form the basis for deal
NEW DELHI: India and the United States on Monday began three days of talks that will prepare the ground for an agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation.
The two sides will discuss the "123 agreement," which will form the basis of a deal.
"The talks reflect the desire of both countries to establish a frame work for broad-ranging peaceful nuclear cooperation," a U.S. embassy spokesperson said.
The "123 agreement" of the Atomic Energy Act of the U.S. stipulates a bilateral cooperation pact before concluding a comprehensive nuclear deal with another country.
It also specifies nine criteria that include maintaining the International Atomic Energy Agency's safeguards, continuing the safeguards in perpetuity, and no enriching or reprocessing without prior approval.
India is bargaining for modifications as the U.S. President can exempt countries from some criteria, provided both chambers of the Congress approve the changes.
The U.S. also has the option of amending its Atomic Energy Act but then the exclusivity of the deal with India will be lost, and other countries, such as Pakistan and Israel, could seek similar agreements.
The two sides were believed to have exchanged drafts of the agreement when Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran met U.S. Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns in London last month.
These discussions are a result of the July 18, 2005, political agreement between U.S. President George Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on civilian nuclear cooperation.
The Indian team is led by Joint Secretary (America) in the Ministry of External Affairs S. Jai Shankar, and comprises officials from the Department of Atomic Energy.
The U.S. side is led by Director of Nuclear Energy, Safety and Security in the State Department Richard Stratford.
Representatives from the Departments of State and Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission form the team.
Special Correspondent
Discussions likely to centre on "123 agreement" that will form the basis for deal
NEW DELHI: India and the United States on Monday began three days of talks that will prepare the ground for an agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation.
The two sides will discuss the "123 agreement," which will form the basis of a deal.
"The talks reflect the desire of both countries to establish a frame work for broad-ranging peaceful nuclear cooperation," a U.S. embassy spokesperson said.
The "123 agreement" of the Atomic Energy Act of the U.S. stipulates a bilateral cooperation pact before concluding a comprehensive nuclear deal with another country.
It also specifies nine criteria that include maintaining the International Atomic Energy Agency's safeguards, continuing the safeguards in perpetuity, and no enriching or reprocessing without prior approval.
India is bargaining for modifications as the U.S. President can exempt countries from some criteria, provided both chambers of the Congress approve the changes.
The U.S. also has the option of amending its Atomic Energy Act but then the exclusivity of the deal with India will be lost, and other countries, such as Pakistan and Israel, could seek similar agreements.
The two sides were believed to have exchanged drafts of the agreement when Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran met U.S. Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns in London last month.
These discussions are a result of the July 18, 2005, political agreement between U.S. President George Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on civilian nuclear cooperation.
The Indian team is led by Joint Secretary (America) in the Ministry of External Affairs S. Jai Shankar, and comprises officials from the Department of Atomic Energy.
The U.S. side is led by Director of Nuclear Energy, Safety and Security in the State Department Richard Stratford.
Representatives from the Departments of State and Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission form the team.