Article Posted on : - Sep 01, 2016

A file photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): The US on Wednesday reaffirmed its support to India's membership bid of the Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement, two of the four key non- proliferation regimes, even as both sides agreed to "redouble" their effort for India's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

On the six atomic reactors, which will be built with US collaboration, the two countries batted for immediate commencement of work on engineering and site design.

Reflecting shared objectives in combating the threat from terrorists accessing and using nuclear and other radiological materials, both the sides reaffirmed their commitment made at the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC.

"In a further effort to strengthen global non- proliferation and export controls, the (two) sides are committed to redouble their effort towards India's early entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)," said a joint statement issued after the Second India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue Strategic and Commercial Dialogue.

The US urged participating governments to support India's candidature in their common interest.

"The United States also reaffirmed its support for India's early membership of the Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement," the statement said.

The US had backed India's membership of the 48-member NSG and even asked participating governments to support its candidature. India's entry to the elite club was opposed primarily by China.

Of the four major non-proliferation regimes, India has already gained entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

The two sides noted the progress made in bilateral civil nuclear cooperation and applauded continued engagement between Westinghouse Co. and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPICL) toward finalising the contractual arrangements by June 2017 to build six AP 1000 reactors.

High-level talks between the officials of the NPICL and WestingHouse Co. are on.

The two countries said they looked forward to the immediate commencement of work on engineering and site design and the early conclusion of a competitive financing package based on the joint work by India and the US Export-Import Bank.