Pretoria to support India at nuke suppliers’ group

PRETORIA: South Africa on Monday agreed to support India’s case for nuclear fuel supply at the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). When asked if it would support India’s case at the NSG, South African President Thabo Mbeki said “we have no problem with that”.

He pointed out that members of the NSG were awaiting the conclusion of the processes in the US Congress for approval of the Indo-US nuclear deal. Mr Mbeki said this was one of the subjects discussed during the extensive talks he had with prime minister Manmohan Singh.

A joint declaration issued at the end of the talks said the two countries agreed that nuclear energy could play an important role in ensuring safe, sustainable and non-polluting sources of energy to meet rising global demands of energy, particularly in developing countries.

They reaffirmed the inalienable right of all states to the peaceful application of nuclear energy, consistent with their international legal obligations. They also agreed to explore approaches to cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy under appropriate IAEA safeguards.

The two leaders felt that international civil nuclear cooperation under appropriate IAEA safeguards amongst countries committed to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation objectives could be enhanced through acceptable forward-looking approaches, consistent with their respective national and international obligations.

In his opening remarks at the press conference, Mr Singh said the two countries have decided to bolster cooperation for overall reforms of the United Nations and working towards enhancing their strategic partnership.
The two sides also decided to ‘qualitatively‘ step up their commercial and economic relationship. “Our two countries share a common vision of a cooperative, rule-based multi-polar world order,” he said.

Mr Singh, who will return to Delhi on Tuesday, said “we decided to strengthen our cooperation in the reform of the UN system and, in particular, reform and expansion of the UN Security Council, without which the overall reform of the UN will remain incomplete”.

He said he had invited Mr Mbeki to visit India at the earliest. “I look forward to continuing to work with him to enhance our strategic partnership.”

Describing his discussion with Mr Mbeki as ‘fruitful’, he said both sides are “working to enhance our strategic partnership” and maintain active contacts at all levels to deepen mutual understanding on bilateral and international issues.

Noting that the two countries faced the common problem of ensuring that the fruits of development reached those who need them most, he said India’s strengths are in the service industry and human resources development and “we have offered to be a partner in the accelerated and shared growth initiative of South Africa.” The two leaders have asked their officials to draw up a programme of cooperation to implement this offer.