Tokyo, December 14:

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked Japan today for support to let his country into the club of civilian nuclear powers, boasting of “unshakable” commitment against proliferation.

Singh and US President George W Bush last year reached a controversial deal to give India access to civilian nuclear technology even though it has not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty on atomic weapons. The pact needs the approval of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, of which Japan is a pivotal member.

“Like Japan, India sees nuclear power as a viable and clean energy source to meet its growing energy requirements,” Singh said in an address to the Japanese parliament.

“We seek Japan’s support in helping put in place innovative and forward-looking approaches of the international community to make this possible,” he said. Singh added, “At the same time, I would like to confirm that India’s commitment to work for universal nuclear disarmament remains unshakable.” Japan’s support for the India-US pact is seen as significant as it is the only nation to have been attacked with nuclear weapons and is also a major civilian atomic power.

Japan has been seeking warmer relations with India but has yet to offer a position on the nuclear pact. Singh will meet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tomorrow.

Yohei Kono, the speaker of the lower house, who is often seen as a liberal within the ruling party, thanked the Indian parliament for its annual silent prayer for victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

“And again we call on your country to mutually cooperate to abolish nuclear weapons,” Kono said in a short speech welcoming Singh.

Bush to ink India nuke deal on Monday

Washington: President George W Bush plans to sign a landmark US-Indian civilian nuclear cooperation bill into law on Monday, the White House said. Congress overwhelmingly approved the bill on Saturday. It would allow shipments of civil nuclear fuel and technology to India in return for India allowing safeguards and inspections at 14 civilian nuclear plants; eight military plants would be off-limits. The two countries must obtain an exception for India in the rules of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, an assembly of nations that export nuclear material. — AP