The European Union is following with great interest India's discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency on the civilian nuclear agreement and will take a decision on supporting India at the Nuclear Suppliers Group after studying all the developments.
It, however, reaffirmed commitment to the non-proliferation regime saying it has a common position on backing India in the NSG.
Portuguese Ambassador to India Luis Filipe Castro Mendes and Daniele Smadja, head of the delegation of the European Commission, said at a joint press conference in Delhi on Monday that the EU, as a whole, understood India's rapidly increasing energy needs and would take a decision on supporting India at the NSG after studying the discussions between New Delhi and the IAEA.
"The European Union follows with great interest the discussions between India and the IAEA," Smadja said, adding that the European Union, as a whole, had not yet decided what stand to take.
She asserted that the EU was committed to the non-proliferation regime.
The two were speaking to reporters ahead of the Eighth India-EU Summit to be held in Delhi on November 30.
"We are following closely India's negotiations with the IAEA and between India and the US. Portugal, as its holds the presidency of the European Commission, is trying to arrive at a maximum consensus and build the real EU position on the issue," the Portuguese ambassador said when asked about Portugal's position as a separeate entity.
About the overall energy cooperation between India and the EU, they said a number of areas had been identified and working groups on energy cooperation will meet in 2008.
These include setting up thermal power plants in India, study of bio-fuels. A common energy policy is also being contemplated.
"We are working on the possibility of a common energy policy...We want a more rational use of energy," Smadja said.
© 2024 Rediff.com -