Mulford meets envoys of NSG nations

Seeking to garner support for the nuclear deal among countries in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, United States Ambassador David Mulford has met envoys of the member nations of the grouping in New Delhi.

Mulford has impressed upon the diplomats that their countries should back the deal as it was in the interest of the nuclear non proliferation system.

Mulford is understood to have stressed that India needed to be given exemption so that it can have nuclear trade with the international community.

Among the countries whose envoys he met are Britain and France.

India needs waiver from the 45-nation NSG by consensus to allow it to resume nuclear trade with the international community after about 34 years.

Under the Indo-US nuclear deal, Washington has promised to take up India's case with the NSG and push it through.

India's case will go to the NSG after the safeguards agreement between New Delhi and the International Atomic Energy Agency is firmed up.

The safeguards agreement has already been reached and it is in the process of being approved by the Board of Governors of the 35-nation United Nations nuclear watchdog.