Singh allays French fears on N-issues

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today sought to allay apprehensions here that India's "privileged relations" with the US would "prejudice" Indo-French co-operation in the field of defence.

"A window has been opened with the US. Our defence programmes are based on the principles of tenders. I have no reason to think that the relations with France will be affected by our partnership with the US," he said in an interview to leading French daily Le Figaro.

French competence in defence matters was well-known and "you are at the outpost of savoir-faire and of technology," he said.

Making a strong case for India on lifting of restrictions on transfer of technology and equipment for its civil nuclear programme, he cited New Delhi's "irreproachable conduct" in non-proliferation matters and asserted that there was no risk that help given to India's civil nuclear programme could bring prejudice to anyone.

Singh noted that although New Delhi was not a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, it fulfilled a majority of its conditions. India has declared unilateral moratorium on nuclear tests and nobody can accuse it of having contributed to proliferation of sensitive technologies.

India was seeking international help only to develop its civil nuclear programme, which it was separating from its military nuclear programme, he said. "In addition, by contributing to the fight against proliferation, India will help to widen the gap between the threat of the link between international terrorists and weapons of mass destruction," Singh said.

He urged France to play a major role in dismantling restrictive regimes imposed by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) comprising 40 countries, which had denied India nuclear reactor and fuel for its civilian nuclear energy.

Reacting to the agreement he had signed in July with US President George W Bush, who had promised to work with the US Congress and NSG members to remove restrictions on transfer of technology to India in this field, Singh expressed the hope that France, which had always "supported us in our aspirations in this respect," would play a major role to help India.

Singh indicated that if the restrictions were lifted, India would import reactors from France. "France is eminently qualified to play this role," he said.

When the interviewer pointed out that Pakistan was already asking for the same exemption as given to India in this regard, the Prime Minister said, "I will make no more comments on other countries. India is a democracy that works well. Our political system offers sufficient guarantees ensuring that we keep our engagement."