Portugal promises to support India at NSG

NEW DELHI: Nuclear Suppliers Group member Portugal today promised to back India's case at the 45-nation grouping for an exemption that will allow New Delhi to have trade with the international community in the atomic field.

Portugal Foreign Affairs Minister Luis Amado, who held talks with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, also expressed confidence that 27-nation European Union would be able to evolve a common position on India's nuclear issue and support it.

"We understand the concern of India on the need to satisfy its energy demands. We will support India's stand in the NSG," Amado told reporters on the sidelines of industry body FICCI function here.

On the stance that the EU would adopt on the issue, he said, "I believe we will make consensus in European Union (EU) in support of India in the next Summit at France."

Most of the EU countries are in favour of India getting the waiver from NSG but the grouping has failed to evolve a common position.

India needs a waiver from NSG so that it can have nuclear trade with international community. India's case will be taken up by the NSG after New Delhi firms up a Safeguards Agreement with IAEA, a step that is on hold because of opposition from Left parties.