NEW DELHI, Dec 8: India on Friday welcomed the prospects of resumed civilan nuclear energy cooperation with the United States but indicated it would not accept any clause that ties its foreign policy to Washington's hostile stance towards Iran.
The Indian foreign ministry welcomed what it described as the outcome of the Conference in the US Congress that has reconciled the Waiver Bills earlier passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate. "It would enable resumption of civilian nuclear energy cooperation between the two countries."
The Bill awaits favourable votes by the House and the Senate. The US Administration has assured India that once passed, this legislation would enable it to fulfil all its commitments and obligations to the deal outlined in July last year, the statement said.
The enactment of the waiver has wider implications for India's access to international cooperation in civilian nuclear energy and is, therefore, of historic significance, the foreign ministry said.
There appeared to be a hint of discomfort over the Iran factor, which requires India to tow the US line towards Tehran.
"The Indian government also notes that this draft legislation contains certain extraneous and prescriptive provisions," the statement said.
"As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stated in Parliament, no legislation enacted in a foreign country can take away from us the sovereign right to conduct foreign policy determined solely by our national interests."
