Russia has shipped nuclear fuel to Tarapur in India in violation of its obligations as a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the USA said.
The State Department said that the shipment raises serious questions about Russia’s commitment to preventing nuclear proliferation, and this will be an important item on the Bush administration’s agenda for talks with Russia. The USA regrets the shipment, and calls on Russia to cancel its supply agreements with India.
The statement said that as a member of the 39-nation supply group, Russia is committed not to co-operate with the nuclear programmes of any country where the IAEA does not supervise safeguards. The Tarapur reactors are under IAEA safeguards, but some Indian nuclear facilities are not.
