Thursday, August 11 2005 19:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Symbolising the growing bilateral ties, Britain has decided to ease sanctions against India relating to civilian nuclear energy ahead of Prime Minister Tony Blair's visit to New Delhi.

"The Government has notified Parliament yesterday (Aug 10, 2005) about the significant changes in its laws regarding the export of dual-use nuclear technologies to India," a Foreign Office spokesman said today (Aug 11, 2005).

The British decision comes close on the heels of the Indo-US nuclear deal paving the way for supply of nuclear fuel to Tarapore and other reactors, ending the three-decade-old freeze.

Applications for other licensable items, even those under Weapons of Mass Destruction end-use controls, will also be opened on a case-by-case basis.

"We will be again opening the doors to Indian nuclear scientists and research organisations, academics and nuclear industry officials to come to the UK," the spokesman said.

"We have reviewed this policy in the context of our growing partnership with India bearing in mind the significant reduction in tension between India and Pakistan. We welcome progress in the composite dialogue and the Indian Government's increased commitment to elements of international Non-Proliferation regime," the spokesman said.

He said India is a key international partner in the UK's efforts to work towards a world safer from global terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction.

"We attach great importance to developing our Strategic partnership on stopping onward proliferation. These are being central elements of our strategic dialogue with India, we have also discussed ways to engage India in these areas with other key international partners," the spokesman said.

India and the UK had been negotiating these relaxations for some time now but the Indo-US nuclear agreement signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Washington visit recently, hastened the process.