PM Arrives In Washington
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in Washington on a four-day visit during which he will attend the Nuclear Security Summit on Monday and meet President Barack Obama and some other world leaders. At the Nuclear
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in Washington on a four-day visit during which he will attend the Nuclear Security Summit on Monday and meet President Barack Obama and some other world leaders.
At the Nuclear Summit to be attended by leaders of 46 other countries also, Singh is expected to pitch for firm response to the challenges of proliferation and possibility of terrorists gaining access to atomic material.
The Summit will discuss ways to strengthen global initiatives for securing nuclear material and installations amid concerns of terrorists gaining access to these.
Singh is expected to share India's apprehensions about terrorists acquiring weapons of mass destruction During the official-level deliberations, India will raise concerns about the possibility of terrorists gaining access to nuclear material in Pakistan.
The summit, an initiative of Obama, will focus on dangers posed by clandestine proliferation and illicit trafficking of nuclear material and the possibility of terrorists acquiring atomic material.
Ahead of his visit, the prime minister said nuclear terrorism and proliferation of sensitive technologies are "legitimate concerns" which require "firm responses".
He emphasised the need for "highest standards of security" in the nuclear field to reinforce public faith in the benefit of atomic science.
Noting that nuclear energy was poised to play a growing role in addressing the developmental challenges of the present times, he said, "This will be possible only if we, as individual nations, and as a global community ensure the highest standards of security which reinforce public faith in the benefits of nuclear science."
He pointed out that India was an important stakeholder in this global endeavour.
Talking about India's well developed and indigenous nuclear energy programme, which dates back six decades, Singh said, "We have an impeccable record of security, safety and non-proliferation which reflects in our conduct as a responsible nuclear power."
The prime minister underlined that India has been a consistent advocate of complete and universal global nuclear disarmament. Singh is also likely to propose setting up of an International Nuclear Safety Centre in India.
India sees the summit and its associated preparatory process as important elements in strengthening international resolve to cooperate on nuclear security and supporting the expanded use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
The controversial nuclear liability bill, US arms supplies to Pakistan and situation in Afghanistan are expected to figure prominently at the meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will have with President Barack Obama here.
Singh will hold talks with Obama at Blair House on Sunday night, their second meeting in four months. They had last met here on November 24 during Singh's State Visit.
The Prime Minister is expected to inform Obama that the nuclear liability bill is going through democratic processes in India and he hopes it to be passed by Parliament at the earliest, sources said.
The Civil Nuclear Liability Bill, whose passage is crucial for implementation of the historic Indo-US nuclear deal, has got caught in a political quagmire with opposition parties strongly objecting to certain aspects of the proposed legislation.
The opposition parties are particularly opposed to the provision of Rs 500 crore 'cap' on damages to be paid by the operator in case of a nuclear accident.
The government has indicated that it is willing to consider changes, including changing the nomenclature of 'cap' to 'norm' but wants the bill to be referred to the Standing Committee of Parliament.
Singh is also expected to convey to the US President India's apprehensions over the end-use of military aid given by America to Pakistan, sources said. India has been maintaining that the military supplies and monetary aid given by the US are often used by Pakistan against Indian interests.
The two leaders will also discuss the situation in Afghanistan in the backdrop of the new Afghan-Pakistan strategy unveiled by Obama a few months back. Singh is expected to underline that India would continue to play its role there as it has vital stakes involved. (More) PTI
India has made it clear that it would continue to play a role in the war-torn Afghanistan "with or without America" as it has crucial stakes in the stability of the country on its periphery.
Sources said India's policy on Afghanistan will be determined by its own interests and not by what others do.
They noted that India and the US had common goals in Afghanistan that the country should be stable, peaceful and there should be no outside interference. But the question was about reaching there, they said while emphasising the need for coordination.
The comments came in the backdrop of a talk that the US was planning to leave Afghanistan for which it was looking for a strategy.
At one time, the US had talked about handing over the security of Afghanistan to regional countries like Pakistan, Iran and others.
This, however, could not happen because of the US' own problems with Iran and internal situation in Kyrgyzstan.
Indian government believes that Pakistan would not be entrusted with any prominent role in the affairs of Afghanistan even though "some parts" of Pakistan would be used by the US in Afghanistan.
About options that India has in case the US-led forces quit Afghanistan, the sources said India will devise its strategy according to the evolving situation and work with those who matter. PTI