Reprocessing of spent N-fuel non-negotiable
New Delhi has made it clear that the issue of reprocessing of spent fuel is non-negotiable and it is committed to retaining the right to do so.
Atomic Energy Commission (ABC) Chairman Anil Kakodkar said that they wanted reprocesing rights upfront. He said that reprocessing was a non-negotiable right.
Anil Kakodkar said that the joint statement by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George W.Bush on July 18, 2005 and India’s nuclear seperation plan of March 2006, New Delhi wanted all those issues to be explicity addressed.
Anil Kakodkar said that India’s position was always guided by the July 2006 statement and March 2006 understanding, but the Hyde Act which was passed by the US Congress deviates significantly from that. He observed that they expected the negotiations to represent the joint statement of July 18 and March and proceed further by taking into account India’s concerns.
A top scientist said that both India and the US were studying the drafts carefully and serious negotiations would begin fairly soon.
