US assures India of help in mustering support in NSG

New Delhi, July 30 (UNI) The United States will help India muster support for the Civilian Nuclear Cooperation deal in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the 45-nation powerful nuclear lobby whose nod is esential for the final implementation of the historic agreement.

US Ambassador to India, David C Mulford, in a telephonic press conference from Wisconsin where he is currently holidaying, said the US had also agreed to help India create a strategic fuel reserve in the event supplies from the US were hampered following India's decision to conduct a Nuclear test forced by similar tests by China or Pakistan.

Replying to questions from journalists from Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata, the Ambassador, however, said it was ''speculative'' to make a categorical statement on the matter.

He said the United States and India were committed to seeking a consensus in the NSG. ''The NSG is generally favourable and we are confident that we can move forward on this...'' India would have to pursue the matter with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the US hoped that India would do its part in a ''month or two,'' he added and expressed confidence that the Bush Administration would be able to recreate bipartisan support in the election year. The matter was in the hands of the leaderships in both countries.

''It is in the hands of the leadership...we hope we can move it quickly...'' he said in reply to a question.

On the issue of nuclear tests by India forced by similar tests by China or Pakistan, the Ambassador said it was ''speculative'' to comment on that. However, the agreement was very clear on the issue.

India would have to make its own judgement on the basis of the situation at that moment. It was a matter for India to address.

To a question from Mumbai, Mr Mulford said the immediate beneficiary of the agreement would be India because ''it ends India's 30 year isolation...'' He said that during the past two years, ever since the agreement, which ''deepens the strategic cooperation between US and India,''was signed, there were moments of frustration at the delay in negotiations.

But everybody realised that the negotiations were very crucial and conducted in the most transparent way.

Asked when would the text of the 123 agreement be made public, he said it would be done at an ''appropariate time.'' UNI