UK promises help at NSG

NEW DELHI: Welcoming the conclusion of Indo-US civil nuclear deal, Britain on Friday said it represents a “gain” for the non-proliferation regime and promised to help in the nuclear suppliers group (NSG).

“We warmly welcome the news that the US and India have completed negotiations on their agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation,” a British foreign office statement read.

“We believe that the deal can make a significant contribution to energy security, development, economic and environmental objectives for India and the international community, as well as represent a gain for the non-proliferation regime,” said the statement released through the high commission here.

The UK, which is a key member of the NSG, said it has strongly supported the initiative from its inception and has been actively involved throughout. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with the US and India, and with partners in the nuclear suppliers group and elsewhere on the detail of this important issue,” said the British statement.

The 123 agreement, which will operationalise the civil nuclear deal, was reached last month. In the pact, Britain has been named as one of the friendly countries with which the US will work to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies to Indian civil nuclear reactors in case a disruption were to occur at Washington’s end.