|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
 |
 |
    |
|
|
|||
 |
|
||
|
|||
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
New Delhi’s Stance on Iran Could Affect U.S.-Indian Nuclear Deal, Ex-Defense Secretary Says
Former U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen said yesterday that India’s decision on whether to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council could shape Congressional support for a nuclear technology sharing agreement between India and the United States, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Nov. 8). “It is important for India to say it is still committed to making sure Iran doesn’t become a nuclear weapons country,” Cohen said. In September, India supported a vote of the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors finding Iran in noncompliance with its nonproliferation obligations. The coalition government in New Delhi is facing pressure from communist allies to oppose Security Council referral when the board meets again next week, AP reported. “If India votes against Iran we will raise the matter in Parliament,” said Prakash Karat of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Cohen said Congress “would be very interested in seeing that India remains true” to its position on Iran. U.S. lawmakers must approve the White House plan for it to become reality. India, as part of the July agreement, has vowed to separate its military and civilian nuclear facilities. While that would be an extended process, Cohen said, “there are a number of steps that can be taken to show that India is committed to doing precisely that” (Rajesh Mahapatra, Associated Press, Nov. 15).
| ||||||||||
Back to top
