It is a crucial moment for the country, as the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) will begin its two-day meeting in Vienna on Thursday. The approval from the NSG group facilitates India to import nuclear fuel and technology from the member countries. The outcome will bear significance, as the approval has to come through a unanimous decision among the member countries.
On Wednesday night, Indian officials, including foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and Prime Minister's special envoy Shyam Saran held a series of meetings with diplomats from several member countries. They have pressed for the speedy adoption of the draft proposal without any changes and expressed satisfaction on the outcome. Though some NSG states continue to have reservations about the implications of the exception for the non-proliferation regime, Indian officials described the meeting as productive. They didn't see significant opposition or any kind of crystallization of dissidence around the demand for specific changes.
India is seeking approval for the draft prepared by the US without amendments. India wants to keep both civilian and military nuclear programs without signing the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) or safeguarding all its nuclear facilities. This is where, analysts expect some resistance from the member countries. While some countries like France, Russia, UK and US that are keen on business with India, may approve the waiver; India could face resistance from many other countries, which may try to protect the spirit of the existing non-proliferation order.
However, there are many more countries, which analysts expect will support India at the NSG meeting. Canada, which forged a new relationship with India some three years ago, did a significant switch in its nuclear policies by supporting the nuclear deal both at the IAEA and NSG. Meanwhile, Japan implied its approval for the deal without amendments. "It may be biased to view the deal as going against nuclear non-proliferation efforts." Japan's chief cabinet secretary Nobutaka Machimura said on Tuesday.
"China believes all countries, while adhering to their international obligations of nuclear non-proliferation, has the right of peaceful use of nuclear energy and to carry out international cooperation in this regard," the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. The NSG meeting will be convened in the morning on Thursday but would adjourn at 11 a.m. to facilitate a special briefing by Menon. Although members are likely to air their reservations and concerns, blockage of decision, insistence on conditions or a delay in approval is unlikely.
Indian Industry, especially power generation equipment and capital goods manufacturers are euphoric over the nuclear deal. While the Indian nuclear industry is confident of joining the International Suppliers Grouping and becoming part of the supply chain, many large companies such as Reliance Energy, Tata Power, the Essar group, the GMR group, Areva T&D, Alstom Projects India, Larsen & Tourbo, Rolta India, BHEL, ABB, construction companies like Gammon India and Hindustan Construction among others are expected to benefit from the Indo-US nuclear deal.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.