Finland undecided on backing N-deal at NSG meet

Ahead of a crucial meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, one of its members, Finland, on Tuesday appeared to have reservations on supporting the Indo-US civil nuclear deal that will require endorsement of the 45-nation organisation.

When asked to comment on Finland's stand vis-a-vis the deal, Finnish Ambassador to India [ Images ] Asko Numminen told media persons that his country was studying the deal but underlined that it had traditionally been a supporter of multilateral non-proliferation system.

Finland is holding discussions with other European Union countries to evolve a common position on the issue of NSG guidelines, he said.

Under the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, firmed up in March during the visit of President George W Bush [ Images ] to India, the NSG is required to adjust its guidelines for allowing the international community to have atomic trade with India. For this, consensus is required in the NSG.

New Delhi [ Images ] and Washington are currently engaged in persuading the NSG members to support to the deal. A majority of the NSG members, including Britain and France [ Images ], have already committed their support for the deal but some have reservations. The issue is likely to come up during the India-EU Summit to be held in Helsinki on October 13.