Austria non-committal on support to Indo-US 'N' deal in NSG

New Delhi, Mar 16 (UNI) Austria, an important member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), today said it would have a ''closer look'' at the Indo-US Civilian Nuclear Agreement before supporting it in the powerful 45-nation nuclear lobby and hinted that India should sign the NPT.

Visiting Austrian Foreign Minister Dr Ursula Plassnik, who met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal and Social Welfare Minister Meira Kumar, said at a press conference here that Austria's position on nuclear issues was well-known and there was no change in that.

She said it should be ensured that the NPT regime is not affected.

''That is Austria's long-standing position,'' Dr Plassnik, who is on a four-day visit to India, said.

Asked if Austria wanted India to sign the NPT, she said ''Austria's position has been that NPT should have as large a participation as possible. That is the position we have taken for a long time. The position is known to India.'' ''We will have a close look at the agreement...in the final stages of completion,'' she said adding that the NPT regime should not be affected.

''We are basically of the opinion that such should not be the case,'' she said.

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