The global body that governs the legal trade in nuclear materials has postponed a decision on whether to give New Delhi access to nuclear fuel and technology — a blow to a landmark deal between Washington and New Delhi.
The Nuclear Suppliers Group’s (NSG) approval of an exemption to its rules is essential for finalizing the civil nuclear cooperation deal. The pact would reverse more than three decades of US policy by allowing the sale of nuclear materials to India, a country that has not signed international nonproliferation accords — and has tested nuclear weapons.
The 45-nation suppliers group said in a statement on Friday that it would meet again soon to continue its deliberations on an agreement.
Earlier this month, India fulfilled one prerequisite for the deal by striking an inspections agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. After the NSG agrees to waive its rules for India, the deal would need approval by the US Congress.
Suppliers group approval would enable other countries to strike similar deals with India.
Washington, eager to see the deal pushed through before US President George W. Bush leaves office, played down the inconclusive end to the two-day gathering.
“We had a constructive and positive discussion today,” acting US Undersecretary of State John Rood told reporters.
“For us in the United States, we’re pleased with the results of the discussion and I remain very optimistic that we’re going to continue to make progress toward this important goal,” he said.
Observers had predicted it could take multiple meetings before a decision is taken.
Delegates leaving the closed-door meeting on Friday gave little indication of what went on but it was clear that US and Indian hopes for an unconditional exemption had suffered a significant setback.
One participant said the US was expected to present a revised waiver proposal by the beginning of next week.
A Chinese freighter that allegedly snapped an undersea cable linking Taiwan proper to Penghu County is suspected of being owned by a Chinese state-run company and had docked at the ports of Kaohsiung and Keelung for three months using different names. On Tuesday last week, the Togo-flagged freighter Hong Tai 58 (宏泰58號) and its Chinese crew were detained after the Taipei-Penghu No. 3 submarine cable was severed. When the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) first attempted to detain the ship on grounds of possible sabotage, its crew said the ship’s name was Hong Tai 168, although the Automatic Identification System (AIS)
An Akizuki-class destroyer last month made the first-ever solo transit of a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship through the Taiwan Strait, Japanese government officials with knowledge of the matter said yesterday. The JS Akizuki carried out a north-to-south transit through the Taiwan Strait on Feb. 5 as it sailed to the South China Sea to participate in a joint exercise with US, Australian and Philippine forces that day. The Japanese destroyer JS Sazanami in September last year made the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s first-ever transit through the Taiwan Strait, but it was joined by vessels from New Zealand and Australia,
SECURITY: The purpose for giving Hong Kong and Macau residents more lenient paths to permanent residency no longer applies due to China’s policies, a source said The government is considering removing an optional path to citizenship for residents from Hong Kong and Macau, and lengthening the terms for permanent residence eligibility, a source said yesterday. In a bid to prevent the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from infiltrating Taiwan through immigration from Hong Kong and Macau, the government could amend immigration laws for residents of the territories who currently receive preferential treatment, an official familiar with the matter speaking on condition of anonymity said. The move was part of “national security-related legislative reform,” they added. Under the amendments, arrivals from the Chinese territories would have to reside in Taiwan for
CRITICAL MOVE: TSMC’s plan to invest another US$100 billion in US chipmaking would boost Taiwan’s competitive edge in the global market, the premier said The government would ensure that the most advanced chipmaking technology stays in Taiwan while assisting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) in investing overseas, the Presidential Office said yesterday. The statement follows a joint announcement by the world’s largest contract chipmaker and US President Donald Trump on Monday that TSMC would invest an additional US$100 billion over the next four years to expand its semiconductor manufacturing operations in the US, which would include construction of three new chip fabrication plants, two advanced packaging facilities, and a research and development center. The government knew about the deal in advance and would assist, Presidential
RSS