Government applauded for voting in support of India at IAEA

OTTAWA, Aug. 1 /CNW/ – Canada India Foundation (CIF) applauds the decision by the Harper Government to support the nuclear safeguards agreement signed between India and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“This agreement is an important first step in bringing India into the international nuclear safeguards regime,” said Ajit Someshwar, Convener, CIF. “We applaud Prime Minister Harper and the Government of Canada for acting to end thirty four years of bureaucratic hostility towards India by voting at the IAEA to accept India as a responsible nuclear power.”

Since 1974, Canada has seen India as a non-conforming nation for failing to sign the Non Proliferation Treaty. These vestiges of cold war attitudes have prevented Canada for developing robust political, diplomatic and economic relations with the world’s largest democracy, India, a country with which we have much in common, including our shared commitment to help bring democracy and development to Afghanistan.

“Canada’s vote is very significant,” said Dr. Ashok Kapur, Senior Fellow, CIF and one of the world’s leading experts on Canada-India nuclear relations. “It is a signal that the Harper Government is prepared to embark on a new and exciting chapter in strengthening political and bilateral relations with India.”

“CIF urges Prime Minister Harper to support India at the upcoming vote at the Nuclear Suppliers Group meeting scheduled for August 21st,” added Someshwar. “With Canada’s support and that of other NSG members, India stands poised to launch a new wave of development based on clean energy to meet its growing demand. This will have positive implications for bilateral trade, investment, and employment.”

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For more information contact
Ajit Someshwar, Convener, +1 (416) 854-8600

About Canada India Foundation (“CIF”)
Canada India Foundation (“CIF”) is a national not for profit organization established in 2007 and dedicated to promoting bi-lateral relations between Canada and India, while working to secure and promote the interests of Canada’s dynamic Indo-Canadian community within the Canadian mosaic.