Washington: Ahead of US President George W Bush's visit, Indian Ambassador to the US, Ronen Sen held a press conference in Washington DC on Tuesday. He discussed bilateral issues that would be covered during the visit.
Ambassador Ronen Sen's press conference was dominated by questions on the status of the India-US nuclear deal. With Bush's visit round the corner, the two sides are nowhere near resolving contentious points of the deal. But Sen reiterated India's need for clean nuclear energy and its right to obtain it.
"There has not been once case of nuclear proliferation from India. Last year we adopted rules that harmonised our already stringent export control laws. Just because our commitment was born out of our own sense of responsibility and restrain, its importance should not be minimised or trivialize," said Sen.
When asked if New Delhi would put the Cirrus reactor and the Fast Breeder Program on the civilian or military list, Sen said that the decision would be dictated by India's self interest. He added that the deal was being stalled by senseless Opposition in both countries.
"On this nuclear issue the debate has been high jacked by the non-proliferation theologians in the US and in India by those rallying under the banner of self reliance even though it might not be conducive to our overall interest," Sen added.
Sen said a warm welcome awaits President Bush in India. Yet on the eve of the visit the ambassador would not confirm the President's itinerary.
The Ambassador did not give any details on President Bush's itinerary or the exact dates he'll be traveling to India. The White House has also not made any announcements and when pressed on the issue the ambassador simply said that an announcement would be made in due course of time.
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