'Steady progress' on ending India nuclear embargo: US
Updated
The United States says it is making "steady progress" in persuading nuclear supplier nations to lift a 34-year-old embargo on nuclear trade with India.
The Nuclear Suppliers Group, which controls the export and sale of nuclear technology worldwide, has convened again in Vienna after refusing to change its rule to allow the US India deal last month.
Washington wants a special waiver of the suppliers' rules for India, which refuses to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to enable the two countries to cooperate in the civilian nuclear field.
Washington argues that the new deal will bring India into the nonproliferation fold and help combat global warming by allowing India to develop low-polluting nuclear energy.
Critics argue that the deal undermines international non-proliferation efforts and accuse the nuclear powers of ignoring the proliferation dangers in pursuit of commercial and political gains.
