September 07, 2007	Friday	Sha'aban 24, 1428

BEIJING, Sept 6: China said on Thursday there were “different views” about a nuclear power pact between the United States and India and called for such deals to stay in line with international safeguards -- but left its own stance ambiguous.

The agreement between New Delhi and Washington would offer India U.S. fuel and reactors while allowing it to stay out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, keep nuclear arms and protect its military atomic complex from international inspections.

Even if the agreement survives opposition from Indian leftists, China’s veto could kill it at an international level.

Indian newspapers have suggested that Beijing could block the deal at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a 45-nation club that works by consensus.

Washington will need to go to the NSG, which is supposed to discourage nuclear trade with countries outside full safeguards, to ask for special leeway for India.

Noting various opinions on the deal in the NSG, China’s foreign ministry suggested that Washington and New Delhi should address worries that it would damage safeguards against the spread of nuclear weapons.

“We have also noted that within the Nuclear Suppliers Group there are different views about relaxing the restrictions on nuclear exports to India,” ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular news briefing.

“China believes that, with the precondition of abiding by their international responsibilities, all countries can develop cooperation in the peaceful exploitation of nuclear power.”

Leftist Indian parties have demanded that New Delhi put on hold talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to secure a safeguards pact needed to clinch the deal.

Jiang said any international atomic power cooperation should serve to “protect and strengthen” barriers against the spread of nuclear arms.—Reuters