G-8 for civil nuclear partnership with India

The Group of Eight most developed countries favour partnership with India but want it to take "further steps" for strengthening the non-proliferation regime.

Noting India's commitments in nuclear field, the Group of Eight most developed countries on Friday favoured partnership with it but wanted New Delhi to take "further steps" for strengthening the non-proliferation regime.

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In a statement issued after the Summit at the Heiligendamm near here, the G-8 recognised India's need to address its energy requirements.

"We note the commitments India has made... We look forward to reinforcing our partnership with India," said the document issued by the US, Russia, France, UK, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan.

The statement said the G-8 encourages "India to take further steps towards integration into the mainstream of strengthening the non-proliferation regime so as to facilitate a more forthcoming approach towards nuclear cooperation to address its energy requirements in a manner that enhances and reinforces the global non-proliferation regime."

The statement assumes significance as India is looking for the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to change its guidelines to allow international community to have civil nuclear trade with it.

New Delhi is currently engaged in lobbying for support in the nuclear regulator which is required to change the rules through consensus.