Tokyo refuses
to commit to Delhi’s nuclear plan
TOKYO—Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday withheld support for
India’s ambitions to join the club of civilian nuclear powers, saying he
would wait for more answers from New Delhi.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met with Abe on a four-day visit to
Japan, whose support is considered key for a controversial India-US pact
on nuclear cooperation.
“On this issue, I have told Prime Minister Singh that our country’s
position is still under examination,” Abe said after their summit in
Tokyo.
Japan is a key player in the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, which
controls the transfer of nuclear material and needs to approve the
India-US deal.
“Singh explained to me about India’s growth and the expected demand for
energy,” Abe said. “I told Prime Minister Singh that Japan was the only
country that was attacked by nuclear bombs and so we have a special
feeling against them.”
“It is necessary for India to respond to the expectations of the
international community and to deal appropriately during negotiations
with the IAEA,” Abe said.
“Japan intends to take part proactively in the discussions and we would
also like to discuss this bilaterally with India,” he said.
In a joint statement, the two leaders said: “The two sides will continue
to discuss the international civil nuclear cooperation framework with
respect to India.”The two leaders also agreed to launch negotiations on
a free-trade agreement and for Abe to pay a return visit to India next
year.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked Japan Thursday for its moral
authority to let his country into the club of civilian nuclear powers,
boasting of "unshakable" commitment against proliferation.
Singh and US President George W. Bush last year reached a controversial
deal to give India access to civilian nuclear technology even though it
has not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty on atomic weapons.
The pact needs the approval of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, of
which Japan is a pivotal member.
"Like Japan, India sees nuclear power as a viable and clean energy
source to meet its growing energy requirements," Singh said in an
address to the Japanese parliament.
"We seek Japan's support in helping put in place innovative and
forward-looking approaches of the international community to make this
possible," he said.
In an aside from his prepared text, Singh added: "At the same time, I
would like to confirm that India's commitment to work for universal
nuclear disarmament remains unshakable." —Agencies |
