US lobbies for India nuclear deal

The deal was finalised on President Bush's recent India visit

US officials are trying to persuade the world's nuclear technology providers to back a controversial deal allowing India greater access to advancements.

Critics say India is being rewarded despite not signing the international nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The US says the deal will bring India into the "non-proliferation regime".

In Vienna, US officials are briefing the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group, which along with the US Congress must approve the deal for it to proceed.

The US is trying to answer the concerns of those who believe the deal with India renders the NPT obsolete.

[India is] giving absolutely nothing on disarmament. They're getting an extremely good deal. Others will say, 'why bother with the NPT?' European diplomat

One European diplomat told Reuters news agency: "You're now giving India the benefits of NPT membership, essentially, without forcing them to sign up to the other parts of the bargain - which are legal, binding commitments on non-proliferation and disarmament."

But acting US assistant secretary for arms control, Stephen Rademaker, said: "We are confident that it's not the death knell of the NPT.

"To the contrary, we think bringing India into the international non-proliferation regime will strengthen the regime."

Under the deal India will get access to US civil nuclear technology while opening its nuclear facilities to inspection.

Analysts say the US is keen to bolster India's nuclear energy programme to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and so bring down the price of oil.

The Nuclear Suppliers Group, which includes Germany, Russia, China, the US, France, Sweden and Canada, is an informal group founded in 1975 that bans sales of nuclear technology to nations considered a security risk.

The Vienna meeting is not expected to come to a decision - that is likely to come at another meeting in June.

Critics have accused the US of double standards given its strong opposition to Iran's nuclear programme.

But Mr Rademaker said: "India is taking on new obligations to align itself with... those who respect the [non-proliferation] treaty."