Further progress was made today at the meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) towards reaching a consensus for a waiver to India as the United States expressed optimism over achieving the "objective".
A statement issued by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi affirming India's commitment to non-proliferation goals sent out the right signals and boosted its case before the 45-member nuclear cartel, which welcomed and praised it.
A few countries are still said to be having some questions, particularly on the issue of nuclear testing by India, when they put forth their expressions during the morning session on the second day of the NSG meeting.
Efforts are still under way to assuage their concerns, diplomats said.
"We are pleased that there was a positive momentum in the discussions," John Rood, US acting Under Secretary for Arms Control, told reporters before lunch break.
He called Mukherjee's statement regarding India's commitment to non proliferation as "very significant" and said it was discussed by the NSG members who "praised and welcomed" it.
"On the basis of this we believe a positive momentum was generated in the discussions," Rood said.
The US official emphasised that his country remained committed to securing the exception for India and was optimistic on achieving the goal.
"We are both committed to achieving the objective and achieving consensus and are optimistic that we can achieve the goal," he said.
