PM seeks S Africa's support on N-deal

Ahead of his talks with President Thabo Mbeki, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has sought South Africa's support for the Indo-US civil nuclear deal in the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG).

Singh, on a visit to South Africa, asked Pretoria to use its influence in the African Union to ensure that it works with India and other three members of the G-4 to ensure that developing countries get permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council.

"We would like South Africa's support in the Nuclear Suppliers' Group," Singh said in an interview to the Sunday Tribune newspaper.

The nuclear deal, clinched in March, is required to be endorsed by the 45-nation NSG, of which South Africa is an important member.

"We believe we have a strong case for promoting peaceful civilian nuclear technology," Singh said, noting that India needed atomic energy to meet the increasing demand in view of the rapid economic growth.

Meanwhile, in his first public engagement after arriving on a four-day visit, Singh undertook a train journey from Pentrich station to Pietermaritzburg, 95 km from Durban, the route taken by Gandhiji on his way to Pretoria on June 7, 1893, when he was thrown out of the compartment for being a coloured person.