China notes "differences" on India-US nuclear deal

BEIJING, Sep 6 (Reuters) China said today there were ''different views'' about a nuclear power pact between the United States and India and called for such deals to stay in line with international safeguards -- but left its own stance ambiguous.

The agreement between New Delhi and Washington would offer India US fuel and reactors while allowing it to stay out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, keep nuclear arms and protect its military atomic complex from international inspections.

Even if the agreement survives opposition from Indian leftists, China's veto could kill it at an international level.

Indian newspapers have suggested that Beijing could block the deal at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a 45-nation club that works by consensus.

Washington will need to go to the NSG, which is supposed to discourage nuclear trade with countries outside full safeguards, to ask for special leeway for India.

Noting various opinions on the deal in the NSG, China's Foreign Ministry suggested that Washington and New Delhi should address worries that it would damage safeguards against the spread of nuclear weapons.

''We have also noted that within the Nuclear Suppliers Group there are different views about relaxing the restrictions on nuclear exports to India,'' ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular news briefing.

''China believes that, with the precondition of abiding by their international responsibilities, all countries can develop cooperation in the peaceful exploitation of nuclear power.'' Leftist Indian parties have demanded that New Delhi put on hold talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to secure a safeguards pact needed to clinch the deal.

Jiang said any international atomic power cooperation should serve to ''protect and strengthen'' barriers against the spread of nuclear arms.

She refused to say whether China itself had concerns about the deal. Some Scandinavian countries have privately expressed concerns about making exceptions for India.

Jiang's comments appeared to be China's latest step in a delicate diplomatic game of signalling concerns about the deal without sparking a stand-off with India.

Experts have said China is unlikely to stymie the nuclear deal and risk pushing Delhi closer to Washington -- just when Beijing is seeking to avoid a destabilising confrontation with its rising Asian neighbour and longtime rival.

But many have also said that Beijing worries about how the deal will affect regional security and arms controls.

India conducted nuclear test blasts in 1998 during tense rivalry with neighbour Pakistan, which also tested then. Both countries refuse to abandon their nuclear shield and join the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

China and India have been trying to expand diplomatic and trade ties after decades of rivalry that included a brief war over disputed territory in 1962.

REUTERS JK PM1525