Date:07/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/07/stories/2008090759480800.htm

National

Advantage India: Brajesh Mishra

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The waiver granted by the Nuclear Suppliers Group gives India “lots of advantages,” the former National Security Adviser, Brajesh Mishra, told The Hindu here on Saturday.

His understanding of what was agreed upon at the NSG meeting in Vienna was that it was “based on the 123 draft agreement between India and the United States” and “there was nothing beyond this” in the waiver. The development would open up nuclear commerce which India had been denied for decades.” It was “a good development” for India.

Mr. Mishra categorically said the NSG waiver made “no prohibition on testing [of a nuclear weapon by India].” He differed with the Bharatiya Janata Party on this crucial issue.

Besides giving India access to nuclear energy, the deal would bring India and the U.S. closer, he said. It would give India “many advantages” in terms of access to high technology and nuclear energy.