Pranab thanks Manmohan, Bush; says waiver a major landmark

STAND VINDICATED: Pranab said the waiver is a major landmark in India's quest for energy needs.

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New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, whose statement on Friday proved the key that convinced the critics at the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) of India's commitment to nuclear non-proliferation, claimed that the waiver was a major landmark in India's quest for energy needs.

"NSG has adopted a statement on civil nuclear cooperation which will enable India to resume nuclear trade with international community. We welcome this move. This is a major landmark in our quest for energy needs," Pranab said while addressing the media in New Delhi on Saturday evening.

"This has been possible with the initiative of President Bush and Prime Minister," Pranab said. "We thank the Director General of International Atomic Energy Association Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei. This will open a new chapter on India's nuclear trade and energy. It's a development of major significance."

"The government appreciates the effort of US, UK, France, Russia and also the support received from Germany, South Africa and Brazil. The government sincerely thanks the effort of President Bush and Condoleezza Rice (US Secretary of State). I also thank all my colleagues at the Department of Atomic Energy and the Ministry of External Affairs," the External Affairs Minister concluded.

Austria, one of the opponents of the waiver, was finally convinced after Pranab’s statement on Friday.

"We are finally convinced by Pranab's (India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee) statement and India's commitment to non proliferation,” a statement issued by Austrian Foreign Ministry said.

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