Thursday, September 14 2006 17:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Brasilia (Brazil): India's quest for civil nuclear energy got a major boost with two key members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (LSG) Brazil and South Africa expressing readiness to have cooperation in this area with New Delhi.

Brazil, current chair of the 45-member NSG, and South Africa, voiced support for "inalienable right of all states to the peaceful application of nuclear energy consistent with their international legal obligations".

Expressing satisfaction over the outcome of the first-ever Summit of India-Brazil-South Africa, officials said the support by Brazil and South Africa is significant.

It comes amid efforts by New Delhi to muster support in NSG for the Indo-US civil nuclear deal which is required to get endorsement from the 45-nation group to allow international community to have nuclear trade with India.

The three countries decided to explore possibility of cooperation in civil nuclear energy.

"The three countries agreed to explore approaches to cooperate in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy under appropriate IAEA safeguards," said a joint press communique issued after the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Brazilian President Lula Da Silva and South African President Thabo Mbeki.

They also agreed that international civilian nuclear cooperation under IAEA safeguards amongst countries, committed to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation objectives, could be enhanced through acceptable forward-looking approaches, consistent with their respective national and international obligations.