India briefs NSG members; participants term it 'useful'

Pushing for an unconditional waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group to allow it to conduct nuclear commerce, India today held a special briefing for the members of the grouping, which was described by participants as "useful" and "constructive".     

The Indian delegation led by Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon briefed the representatives of 45 member countries of NSG for about 30 minutes detailing India's case, conveying its commitments towards non-proliferation and seeking to allay fears, if any.     

After the collective briefing, Menon and Prime Minister's special envoy Shyam Saran met representatives of NSG countries separately in groups.     

Participants later said the briefing, held in a "positive" atmosphere, was "good and useful".     

"Some issues were raised which were useful and constructive," a participant said without identifying which country he was representing.     

Menon and Saran replied to the issues raised by various participants.     

The Foreign Secretary refused to say anything to the waiting mediapersons on the deliberations.     

The special briefing was held as India, which is not a member of the NSG, wanted to put forth its case directly before the members of the grouping that regulates international nuclear trade.