In this context, Manmohan Singh noted that India had 'full mastery' of the nuclear fuel cycle. 'The transfer of enrichment and reprocessing items and technology to India as part of full international civil nuclear cooperation would be an additionality to accelerate our three-stage programme.'

He pointed out that he had raised the G8 statement with French President Nicholas Sarkozy, who 'was gracious enough to tell me that as far as France is concerned, there will be no restrictions'.

The prime minister reminded the house that India has no civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the G8 block but has signed signed bilateral agreements with France, Russia and the United States.

'Therefore, there is no consensus in the NSG to debar India from such technologies. We expect that the countries concerned will honour and implement their bilateral commitments', he added.

He also reiterated that there was no way that India would join NPT as a non-nuclear weapon state.

-- Indo-Asian News Service

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