New Zealand compromises on India nuclear deal

By Xinhua,

Wellington : The New Zealand government said on Monday that it got the best deal it could on nuclear trade with India.


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The Nuclear Suppliers Group in Vienna has agreed to an U.S. proposal to allow the sale of nuclear reactors and fuel to India.

New Zealand is one of 45 members of the group, which had been pushing for limits on the deal, including an immediate halt in trade if India tests another nuclear bomb.

But New Zealand Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, PhilGoff, said on New Zealand, Ireland and Austria have had to accept a compromise involving a set of assurances from India, Radio New Zealand reported on Monday.

Goff was confident that overall the agreement will strengthen and not weaken nuclear non-proliferation.

The deal now needs to be ratified by the U.S. Congress before it can be implemented.

India said the deal is vital for it to meet its civil energy demands.

India has pledged to keep its nuclear non-proliferation commitments and to uphold a voluntary moratorium on testing atomic weapons.

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