Finland undecided on backing N-deal at NSG meet

Ahead of a crucial meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, one of its members, Finland, on Tuesday appeared to have reservations on supporting the Indo-US civil nuclear deal that will require endorsement of the 45-nation organisation.

When asked to comment on Finland's stand vis-a-vis the deal, Finnish Ambassador to India Asko Numminen told media persons that his country was studying the deal but underlined that it had traditionally been a supporter of multilateral non-proliferation system.

Finland is holding discussions with other European Union countries to evolve

a common position on the issue of NSG guidelines, he said.

Under the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, firmed up in March during the visit of President George W Bush to India, the NSG is required to adjust its guidelines for allowing the international community to have atomic trade with India. For this, consensus is required in the NSG.

New Delhi and Washington are currently engaged in persuading the NSG members to support to the deal. A majority of the NSG members, including Britain and France, have already committed their support for the deal but some have reservations. The issue is likely to come up during the India-EU Summit to be held in Helsinki on October 13.