As Washington begins to walk its nuclear deal talk with India, the tightrope is getting tighter with each side wary of each step.

To get the Nuclear Suppliers Group to change its rules in tune with the deal, Washington’s draft to the NSG on March 22-23 spells out New Delhi’s commitments but adds a clause indicating that the NSG will “continue to strive” to get India to bring all its facilities under safeguards.

While New Delhi is aware of the “very very delicate balance” on which the implementation of the deal hinges—Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said so in the US today urging lawmakers not to press for changes—it will take up this clause in the proposal with Washington.

For, sources said, full scope safeguards on all Indian facilities would amount to treating it like a non-nuclear weapon state.

By placing 14 of its 22 power generating nuclear reactors under safeguards, India has made it clear that it has a dedicated military programme. Also, under the deal, India retains the right to declare which of its future reactors will be civilian or military.

The sense in New Delhi is that this is more of an “expectation” than a “condition.” And the key objective right now is to get the NSG to change its rules so that the deal can be implemented. Still, sources said, this issue will be discussed when Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher is here on April 7. He, along with another Assistant Secretary of State Stephen Rademaker, had gone to Vienna for the NSG meet where the draft was circulated.

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