US committed to nuclear deal, no threat to clean waiver: Pranab

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has rejected as untrue reports that the clean waiver India got from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) for reprocessing technology has ended because of an NSG ban for non-NPT countries.

The NSG had last week decided to push for more stringent norms that govern technology transfer for reprocessing technology. The NSG has made transfer of reprocessing technology conditional to being part to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT). The move negates the clean waiver India got from NSG in 2008. It also casts a shadow on the landmark civilian nuclear deal the India signed with the US.

The BJP on Tuesday had asked the Prime Minister to break his silence on this crucial issue.

Speaking to bureau, Mr Mukherjee said America must honour its commitments to India. He said the US is committed to the civilian nuclear cooperation deal with India and the clean waiver given by the Nuclear Suppliers Group. He said he reminded the US administration that the clean waiver to India still stands according to the deal signed by both countries.