Ahead of NSG meet, top US official to visit India

Burns is expected here on August 18 while the NSG takes up India’s case at a plenary meet on August 21-22. It is further learnt that the Ministry of External Affairs has decided to postpone its conference of Indian heads of missions posted across the world, which was planned for August 20-22. This has been done so that key ambassadors are in their respective capitals to lean on NSG member countries while the grouping takes up the issue.

India has given its consent to the US draft exemption note after Washington dropped a reference to working towards comprehensive safeguards in India. New Delhi was of the view that though prescriptive, this portion was not in line with the July 18, 2005, joint statement between both countries.

The draft is now with Germany, which has already started the exercise of circulating it among member countries. Burns’ visit, officials said, will help build the climate for coordinated diplomacy by both countries at the NSG where India is likely to be invited.

It may be noted that William Burns has replaced Nicholas Burns, who was the chief interlocutor on the nuclear deal until recently. The NSG will present a tougher diplomatic challenge than the IAEA Board as the grouping takes its decisions only by consensus. A handful of countries like Austria, Switzerland, Ireland and Norway have expressed their concerns over the “harm” the special arrangement for India may do to the NPT regime.

Overcoming this opposition would have been less difficult if India and US had time on their side, but it is almost imperative for the NSG to give an exemption at this meeting itself. Washington is targeting to bring the 123 agreement along with the Safeguards Agreement and the NSG exemption to the US Congress by September 8.

Thereafter, another concentrated effort will be needed to get the Congressional approval before the term of the Bush Administration...