NSG meet inconclusive; to be re-convened on September 4

VIENNA: The crucial two-day meeting of Nuclear Suppliers Group to consider whether to allow India to conduct civil nuclear trade ended inconclusively today and the grouping is expected to be convened again on September 4 to take a final decision.

After intense deliberations over the move that will end India's 34-year-old isolation in the civil nuclear commerce, diplomats said no final decision could be arrived at.

Further discussions will be required for which the NSG is expected to be convened again on September 4 and 5, they said.

"The meeting was positive... Many delegates raised some questions and the US is pleased (with that). I remain optimistic and we will continue to make progress," John Rood, leader of the US delegation at the NSG meet told reporters after the two-day discussions.

"The NSG will meet again in the near future to work on these constructive discussions," he said.

The discussions remained inconclusive as some members raised questions over the move to grant waiver to India since it is not a signatory to the NPT.

Indications that the decision could be delayed emerged during the day when US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher said in Mumbai that some amendments would be made to the draft waiver moved at the NSG.