Friday, August 18 2006 10:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Top nuclear scientists yesterday (Aug 17, 2006) welcomed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's detailed assurances on concerns raised by them about the Indo-US nuclear deal.

They also welcomed his invitation to scientists for further discussion on the issue on August 26 in New Delhi.

M R Srinivasan, former Atomic Energy Commission chairman and a current member of the body, told sources from Ooty, "We are looking forward to the meeting to discuss the issues in detail and mechanisms to protect India's interests."

Unless India makes the US explicitly accept the position that the Prime Minister adopted today and unless the bilateral agreement is clearly reflected in black and white, there will be no guarantee that what is deemed non-binding on India in yesterday's legislation will not be converted in future to binding clauses by future administrations in the US, Srinivasan said.

On the perpetuity clause, he said, "We will discuss with the Prime Minister in detail to make sure that research and development and fast breeder technologies are not placed under safeguards, and also on the future choice on voluntary safeguards."

Former AEC chairman P K Iyengar said, "The Prime Minister has made so many commitments to answer the scientists as well as opposition's concerns and at the same time he has not left out his commitment related to the American decision."

On the separation plan for nuclear facilities after today's assurances, Iyengar said, "There should be a re-discussion on the separation plan more logically, and so that it could be easily negotiated with the International Atomic Energy Agency."