World Nuclear Trade Group Agrees to Restrict Sales to India

The Washington Post
Sep 12, 2008

A 45-nation group that governs trade in nuclear equipment and materials privately agreed last weekend that none of its members plans to sell sensitive technologies to India, according to sources familiar with the discussion. The agreement undercuts one of the Indian government's key rationales for seeking a civilian nuclear deal with the United States -- that it would open the door for "full civil nuclear cooperation" with the rest of the world. The Nuclear Suppliers Group's previously undisclosed understanding helped persuade several skeptical member states to support a waiver authorizing nuclear trade with India, the sources said. Winning the NSG waiver was necessary before the Bush administration could submit the landmark U.S.-India civil nuclear agreement to Congress. President Bush transmitted the agreement to Congress late Tuesday night, and administration officials are pressing for action before Congress adjourns later this month.