By NNN-PTI,
Vienna : Consensus eluded the NSG for a clean waiver for India with China joining a clutch of countries having strong reservations but the US maintained that “significant progress” was made and remained optimistic over securing the crucial exemption.
Two days of marathon talks remained inconclusive and fresh discussions have been scheduled later today.
Five rounds of deliberations on the second day saw diplomats and officials burn the midnight oil to hammer out a consensus that is needed to take the Indo-US nuclear deal forward after facing last minute hurdles.
“We are pleased with the significant progress made throughout the day. India released a very significant statement with regard to its non-proliferation commitments.
“That statement made substantive positive impact on the governments of the NSG that sincerely facilitated the progress that we achieved today,” US Acting Under Secretary for Arms Control Affairs John Rood told reporters.
He said the US remained committed to reaching a consensus at the 45-member NSG to allow for the trade in civilian nuclear area.
“It is an important matter, a serious subject that has been given a very serious discussion by our colleagues. I remain optimistic that we can achieve our objective,” he added.