WASHINGTON - Indiaâs defence minister appealed on Monday for a quick end to restrictions on nuclear and technology cooperation with the United States, saying they limit Indiaâs ability to become a stabilizing force in Asia. On his first visit to Washington since taking up his post, Pranab Mukherjee said such limitations were among factors âthat prevent India from realising its potential to contribute to international peace, stability and development.â
In a speech to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, he said India and the United States have a âconvergence of our security concerns,â including âfundamentalist activism and terrorismâ and weapons proliferation. India is on the front line of this struggle and hence merits Washingtonâs assistance, Mukherjee added.
He met earlier in the day with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and is due to visit Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Tuesday at the Pentagon. Mukherjee is preparing the way for a White House visit next month by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
President George W. Bush has greatly accelerated predecessor Bill Clintonâs initiative to strengthen ties between the worldâs two biggest democracies, at odds through most of the Cold War and the years immediately afterward. Economic and diplomatic relations have mushroomed.
But nuclear, military and other technology dealings have been more cautious, largely because of US concerns over Indiaâs status as an undeclared nuclear power that has refused to join most international non-proliferation regimes. The administration has begun to cooperate on nuclear-related safety programs with India. But US Undersecretary of State Robert Joseph said last week âweâre moving forward in an incremental and reciprocal wayâ in this regard and no immediate changes in US law or policy are contemplated.
Mukherjee said if India is to realize its economic potential, it needs alternative sources of energy and foremost among those available is nuclear energy.
| As opposed to the Iranians, who don't need alternative sources of energy. |
Insisting Indiaâs nuclear energy and weapons programs are separate, he said ârestrictions against Indiaâs nuclear energy programs are anachronistic.â |