The move of G8 countries to curb transfer of enrichment and reprocessing (ENR) technology and equipment to the countries that were not signatories to the NPT, has not gone well with India. The country considers the decision against the spirit of the “clean” waiver given by the 45-membered Nuclear Suppliers Group in September last year.

G8 nations, in its recent meet in L'Aquila, which was also attended by Prime Minster Manmohan Singh, had asked to build consensus within a year to ban transfer of ENR technology to non-signatory countries.

The statement released in the summit maintains, “To reduce the proliferation risks associated with the spread of enrichment and reprocessing facilities, equipment and technology, we welcome the progress that continues to be made by the NSG on mechanisms to strengthen controls on transfers of such enrichment and reprocessing items and technology.”

Meanwhile, the Indian External Affair Ministry said that it would be able to comment over the matter after studying the text. Experts believe that the move has not targeted India, and it should be seen as an attempt to encourage nuclear non-proliferation in the world. However, it is sufficient to dilute India’s claim to carry out full civil nuclear business in the near future.