India surprised at G-8 vow to curb nuke enrichment tech

The group of eight (G8) developed countries have vowed to curb transfer of enrichment and reprocessing (ENR) technology and equipment, surprising India, as the move goes against the spirit of the Nuclear Suppliers Group’s “clean” waiver to it.

In a joint statement on non-proliferation, the G-8 nations also pushed other members of the 45-nation NSG to reach a consensus within this year to disallow transfer of ENR technology to countries that were not signatories to the NPT.

The statement was issued after the summit, which was attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in L'Aquila in Italy.

The move, which would impact India, comes even though the NSG had last September given New Delhi “clean” and “full” waiver for civil nuclear cooperation with the world despite it being a non-signatory to the NPT.

“To reduce the proliferation risks associated with the spread of enrichment and reprocessing facilities, equipment and technology, we welcome the progress that continues to be made by the NSG on mechanisms to strengthen controls on transfers of such enrichment and reprocessing items and technology,” said the statement issued yesterday.

While noting that the NSG had not yet reached consensus on this issue, the G-8 said, “We agree that NSG discussions have yielded useful and constructive proposals contained in the NSG’s ‘clean text’ developed at the November 20,2008, Consultative Group meeting.”

Pending completion of work in the NSG, the statement said, “We agree to implement this text on a national basis in the next year.”

It also urged the NSG to “accelerate its work and swiftly reach consensus this year to allow for global implementation of a strengthened mechanism on transfers of enrichment and reprocessing facilities, equipment and technology.”