BERLIN, July 11: G8 leaders meeting this week are likely to give tacit approval to a controversial deal giving India access to US nuclear technology, despite fears this could undermine non-proliferation efforts, diplomats say.

They say leaders from the Group of Eight are likely to come up with a form of wording which provides a lukewarm acknowledgment of the deal at their meeting in St Petersburg from Saturday.

This would boost US efforts to convince the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the world’s top producers of atomic technology, to lift its ban on nuclear trade with India.

“In terms of what the US needs from the G8, this non-committal nod is good enough,” said Mark Fitzpatrick of London’s International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

“The more important international forum is the NSG, whose 45 members must approve the exception to NSG rules by consensus for the US-India nuclear cooperation deal to be consummated.”

Last year Washington signed a deal — yet to be approved by the US Congress — granting India access to US nuclear fuel and reactors as part of a broader effort to develop US-Indian ties.

Washington had initially hoped the G8 would openly back the deal.

But concerns about the timing of the deal, which comes as the international community is trying to curtail Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and fears it may be rewarding India for flouting the NPT, make a full endorsement impossible, several diplomats said.

NEUTRAL LANGUAGE: “The India language has still not been finalised but will be very neutral,” a western G8 diplomat said.

“There will be a lot of ‘taking note of India’s commitments’ and being prepared to look at a new relationship with India that meets its energy needs while being consistent with international non-proliferation norms,” he said.

Mr Fitzpatrick, from the IISS, said the lack of opposition from the G8 would be enough to help Washington to try to convince the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to lift its ban.—Reuters