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By Amit Baruah
Official sources told this correspondent that after the June 21, 1998, deal with Russia to construct two 1,000-mw nuclear plants at Koodankulam in Tamil Nadu, India faces problems as far as rapid expansion of nuclear energy facilities are concerned. It would appear that all further cooperation in the civilian nuclear sector would have to take place under the 39-nation NSG regime, of which India is not a member.
In fact, the NSG was set up after the "peaceful nuclear explosion" by India in 1974. As far as Koodankulam is concerned, Russia took the view that the deal was originally signed in 1988 and, as such, was outside the NSG requirements and regulations. Today, however, India is actively interested in tackling the restrictive NSG provisions. It is still hoping that one of its "friends" would take up the issue with the NSG so as to find a way around the stringent guidelines. Exceptions to safeguards are possible only after consultations among NSG parties. The regulations prohibit the supply of nuclear material and equipment to countries which do not permit "full scope safeguards" of nuclear installations under the aegis of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). For its part, India only allows facility-specific safeguards. There is, however, no doubt about the fact that India has not been involved in transfer of any sensitive technologies to third countries. But this may not prove sufficient for it to have continuing access to new technology in the civilian nuclear sector. In February 2001, the U.S. State Department took strong exception to Russia supplying nuclear fuel for the Tarapur reactors "in violation" of its non-proliferation commitments. "At a December 2000 meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the overwhelming majority of the members expressed their strong concerns about Russia's planned shipment of nuclear fuel to India, which they regarded as inconsistent with Russia's commitments," the U.S. said at the time. "We join other nuclear suppliers in calling on Russia to cancel this supply arrangement and live up to its non-proliferation obligations. Russia's disregard of its Nuclear Supplier Group commitments, together with its sensitive nuclear assistance to Iran, raises serious questions about Russia's support for the goal of preventing nuclear proliferation. Russia's provision of sensitive technologies to other countries will be an important item on the U.S.-Russian agenda of the Bush Administration," the statement added. In the face of such statements, it is hardly surprising if Russia has chosen to go along with the letter and spirit of the NSG guidelines as far as India is concerned. Improving Indo-U.S. relations, clearly, does not extend to the area of sensitive technologies despite the positive statements emanating from New Delhi and Washington. India is, however, hopeful that its "friends" will raise the issue of exceptions to NSG guidelines in specific instances. They have already requested Moscow to press its case on the issue.
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