Mixed reactions on Indo-US N-deal

The landmark Indo-US nuclear agreement has evoked mixed reactions from all quarters.

The landmark Indo-US nuclear agreement has evoked mixed reactions from all quarters. A look at some of them:

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France: President Jacques Chirac praised the deal between India and the United States on nuclear energy cooperation, saying it would strengthen rules on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. He added that the agreement announced in New Delhi also served the fight against climate change.

Pakistan: President Pervez Musharraf wants US to ink a similar deal with Pakistan. He said Washington concluded such a deal with New Delhi in its own interest and Islamabad has its own options even if Pakistan failed to get such an agreement for itself.

China: The country has reacted cautiously to the deal, hoping that it would meet the global non-proliferation regime's parameters while seeking early accession by "non-signatory" nations to the Non-Proliferation Treaty to ensure regional and global peace and stability.

Japan: It was upbeat about the pact to share nuclear technology, rejecting concerns that New Delhi has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Australia: Prime Minister John Howard has welcomed the pact, but has ruled out lifting a ban on uranium exports to India until New Delhi signs the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

International Atomic Energy Agency: The IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei has praised the agreement, saying it would bring India closer as an important partner in the non-proliferation group of countries.