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'India deserves better N-tech access'
France on Thursday said India deserved a 'better status' in its access to nuclear technology for civilian use and backed a US proposal to change the rules of the Nuclear Suppliers Group to enable New Delhi achieve it."India and the US have reached a (nuclear) agreement last year. There is an American proposal to change the rules of NSG to enable India to access nuclear technology. We support this effort. We are trying to promote this effort," French Ambassador to India Dominique Girard told reporters. France, he said, had been a 'pioneering partner' with India in supporting its access to nuclear technology for civilian use and had been backing it on the issue at NSG and International Atomic Energy Agency 'before anybody else.' Noting the 'strong political bond' between India and France, he said his country was the first member of United Nations Security Council to support India's candidature for permanent membership of UNSC. "We keep supporting this idea (India as a permanent UNSC member)," Girard said, adding, it was in view of India's democratic regime, size and international behaviour. Asked about the prospect of France supplying Rafale fighter aircraft to India, Girard said "if and when India launches the competition, the company (Rafel maker Dassault) would be quite interested." He, however, added "we have to discuss (the issue) in future, how the request is shaped up and the need of Indian Air Force is formulated." On the Scorpene submarine deal, Girard said there would be a 'huge' transfer of technology to India which was significant for its industry. The submarines would be built in India. "We are happy with the way things developed," he said, adding, the Indian Navy was 'quite satisfied and excited' about the deal. Posted by: john 2006-06-08 |
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