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Vienna/New Delhi, Sept. 6 The 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group on Saturday agreed to lift a 34-year old nuclear trade embargo on India, helping it to resume nuclear commerce with the rest of the world. The waiver came after two-and-a-half days of hectic parleys in Vienna, paving the way for India to reenter the global nuclear market.

This also sets the stage for the next milestone in operationalising the Indo-US civil nuclear co-operation agreement – the ratification of the pact through an up-down vote in the US Congress.

Terming the decision of the NSG to adjust its guidelines to enable a full civil nuclear cooperation with India as a “forward looking and momentous decision,” the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, said the opening of full civil nuclear cooperation between India and the international community will be good for India and the world.

“We look forward to establishing a mutually beneficial partnership with friendly countries in an area which is important for both global energy security as well as to meet the challenge of climate change,” the Prime Minister added.

The Prime Minister also spoke to the US President, Mr George Bush, to thank him for the role in taking forward the civil nuclear initiative and the decision by the NSG to adjust its guidelines to enable full civil nuclear cooperation between India and the international community.

Briefing newspersons after the NSG decision was made public, the Minister for External Affairs, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, said that the decision will open a new chapter in India’s cooperation with other countries in peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

“The final outcome fully meets our expectations and is consistent with Government policy and the national consensus on disarmament and non-proliferation,” the Minister said.

Mr Mukherjee added that India was looking forward to working with its international partners in realising the “full potential” of mutually beneficial cooperation that the decision entails.

“It is unique in the sense that it opens doors for civil nuclear cooperation which was not possible till now. There is no specific targeting of India on anything,” said the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, Dr Anil Kakodkar.

Spelling out the prospects for the power sector, Mr Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Power and Commerce, said the NSG waiver marked the second major milestone for India, with the IAEA clearance already through. This, he said, technically opens the door for Russian and French reactor manufacturers and uranium suppliers from Canada and Australia to enter India.

The prospect of six more Koodankulam type reactors coming up with Russian assistance could be in the offing soon. Mr Ramesh also exuded confidence that the US Congress should be able to take up the matter for an up-down vote during the current term itself. Mr Ramesh said that he envisaged “no problems” in amendments to the Atomic Energy Act to facilitate the entry of private players in the Indian nuclear space.

Meanwhile, the US Ambassador to India, Mr David C. Mulford, said that the decision to grant a waiver to India would strengthen global non-proliferation. “The next move forward will be to accomplish the final step with the US Congress,” he said.

The US along with Australia, the UK, Japan, Russia, China, France and Germany are among the 45 countries which make up the NSG. It was in 1974 after the Pokhran nuclear tests that India was denied access to nuclear technology and fuel by the NSG.

Now its entry into the global civilian nuclear fraternity could well be a win-win situation as it opens up avenues not only in business but also in technology flows for the country. India, which has established global leadership in research involving Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR), Fast Breeder Reactors and thorium cycle, hopes to leverage this niche on a global basis.

Mr Mukherjee hinted at this on Friday when he stated India’s intentions to leverage the opportunity, with the country “interested in participating as a supplier nation, particularly for thorium-based fuel and in establishment of international fuel banks.”

Besides, India is exploring the possibility of exporting indigenous 220-MWe reactors to developing nations interested in nuclear power generation but constrained by small-sized electricity grids, as well as opportunities for heavy water exports.

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