NSG waiver shows India's impeccable record: PM

Observing that the NSG waiver for India was a vindication of its impeccable record on non-proliferation front, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said the development will have a positive impact on the global energy security and efforts to combat climate change.

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Addressing the world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York, Dr Singh noted India's desire to achieve its growth objectives while pursuing ecologically sustainable development.

"India is registering rapid economic growth. Our total demand will keep increasing and we are actively looking for all possible sources of clean energy," he said.

Referring to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) waiver granted earlier this month, the prime minister said "this is a vindication of India's impeccable record on non-proliferation and to our long-standing commitment to nuclear disarmament that is global, universal and non-discriminatory in nature."

He said, "The opening of international civil nuclear cooperation with India will have a positive impact on global energy security and on efforts to combat climate change."      

On India's commitment to disarmament, Dr Singh pointed out that the blueprint in this regard was spelt out by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in the UN 22 years ago.

"I reiterate India's proposal for a Nuclear Weapons Convention prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons and providing for their complete elimination within a specified time-frame," he said.

On the issue of climate change, Dr Singh said it can be overcome successfully only through a collaborative and cooperative global effort.

He said India supports the multilateral negotiations taking place under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

"The outcome must be fair and equitable and recognise the principle that each citizen of the world has equal entitlement to the global atmospheric space," the prime minister said.

Noting that India has unveiled an ambitious National Action Plan on Climate Change, Singh said 'even as we pursue economic growth, we are committed to our per-capita emissions of greenhouse gases not exceeding those of the developed countries.'