To bridge the gaps that evade a consensus on an exemption for India at the Nuclear Suppliers Group last week, New Delhi is said to be willing to consider a partnership with the 45-member group on furthering “broad non-proliferation objectives” but is against the cartel imposing any restrictions under the garb of non-proliferation.

It’s learnt that India has conveyed this to the US as the two sides rework the draft exemption note in Washington. India has said it’s willing to be accommodative to concerns raised by some members as long as these are reflected in a way that seeks India’s partnership to further the cause of non-proliferation rather than an intrusive approach to “discipline” by way of periodic review or, for that matter, draw commitments on CTBT.

India has told the US and NSG members that while it held a principled opposition to the NPT because of its discriminatory approach, it never abandoned the idea of complete non-proliferation. And that there many areas in which it can work with the NSG on this. So several ideas are being explored, including a continuous dialogue or a long-term partnership where India is treated as a partner and not like a potential violator. New Delhi wants the language of the exemption to clearly reflect this approach.

On certain NSG countries suggesting a ban on transfer of enrichment and reprocessing technology, India’s view is that there is no consensus in the group itself on this and, therefore, to take a decision just for India will be “discriminatory”. This view is endorsed by Russia and France, said sources.