PM's clear message: India won't allow a nuclear Iran

MEETING OF MINDS: Manmohan Singh and Nicolas Sarkozy address a press conference on Monday in Marseilles.

Featured Blog

Rajdeep Sardesai

Maharaj or Dada, Ganguly's legacy lives on

Featured Slideshows

Marseilles: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has made it clear that India does not want another nuclear weapons state in its neighbourhood and will under no circumstance support Iran's nuclear weapons programme.

"We don't support a nuclear weapon state emerging in our region. So there is no question of supporting nuclear weapon ambitions of Iran," Manmohan Singh said in Marseilles on Monday.

Manmohan also said he discussed the issue of Iran's nuclear programme with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

"I have said earlier and I repeat that Iran is a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty and is entitled to all that is needed for development of its civil nuclear programme. And as a member of NPT, it has also to undertake all obligations of the NPT," he said.

He also said that India will sign a bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement with France during a meeting with Sarkozy in Paris on Tuesday.

"We look forward to working with France as with other countries. Tomorrow we have a bilateral summit with France and this matter will come up and I hope some good results will emerge out of that meeting," Manmohan said after meeting Sarkozy in Marseilles on Monday.

Manmohan said India is seeking cooperation with all like-minded countries in matters relating to promotion of civil nuclear energy.

"US Congress is engaged in the process of passing a legislation which would promote bilateral cooperation between US and India. Sometime ago, the Nuclear Suppliers Group adjusted its guidelines in the matter of civil nuclear cooperation with India. We look forward to working with France and other countries in this area. We are having a summit tomorrow (with France), I hope some results will come out of this summit," Manmohan said.

Sarkozy added that nuclear energy is the cleanest form of energy at a time when the entire world was talking about climate change.

He also added that he would discuss with the Indian Prime Minister the issue of nuclear cooperation and take a decision on Tuesday.

France is offering India its First Generation European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) and about 35 French companies have begun talks with their Indian counterparts for setting up joint ventures.

The Prime Minister also condemned attacks on churches in India.

"We are a secular state, multi-religious and multi-cultural nation," Manmohan said.

Manmohan also discussed terrorism and the financial crisis with EU leaders in the French coastal town of Marseilles at the annual India-EU summit.

The Prime Minister is on a 10-day visit to the US and France.