India seeks Spain's support

The issue figures at Manmohan's talk with PM of Spain, a member of the NSG.

India on Monday sought the support of Spain, a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), for the civil nuclear cooperation deal signed with the US as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met visiting Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in New Delhi.

HT Image

Singh also invited Spanish investment in various sectors including infrastructure, automobiles and renewable energy, a suggestion to which Zapatero responded positively.

The Indo-US nuclear deal came up during the talks between the two leaders and Singh sought Spain's support in this regard, official sources said.

Spain is a member of the 45-nation NSG where India is required, under the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, to evolve consensus to allow the international community to have trade with it in the atomic field.

The two sides also signed three pacts, including Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty on Criminal Matters, after about 90-minute meeting between Singh and Zapatero which covered a host of issues, particularly focussing on enhancing cooperation in economic and political field.

Addressing a joint press conference with the Spanish PM after the talks, the Prime Minister said "Spain is an important investor globally. We would like Spain to look at the opportunities that India has to offer for investment in various sectors such as infrastructure, automobiles, renewable energy, tourism and environment protection".