Russia: No violation over nuclear fuel to India

INDIA: Russia said its supply of uranium fuel to an Indian atomic plant did not violate Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) guidelines.

"These do not contradict international commitments," Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov said in response to a question at a business conference.

"We informed the Nuclear Supplier Group of the supply of fuel to the Tarapur power plant. We are assisting each other to ensure strategic security," he added.

NSG is an informal club of nations that bars member countries from supplying nuclear equipment or fuel to states such as India, which have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

India said on Wednesday Russia's decision to supply uranium to two U.S.-built atomic power plants that have been struggling for fuel did not violate global guidelines governing nuclear trade.

"There is no violation of NSG guidelines and Russia has approached NSG under the safety exception clause. The U.S. is aware of the urgent need for fuel for Tarapur," an Indian foreign ministry statement said. New Delhi, Friday, AFP