CNN-IBN Interview with South African Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma; 22 July 2007, New Delhi, India

By Vidya Shankar Aiyar: Members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) have resolved to explore ways for co-operation with India in the civil nuclear field through "acceptable forward-looking approaches." The support comes at a time when India may have to seek Nuclear Suppliers Group's help to commence trade in the nuclear sector with signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. This hinges on India signing the 123 agreement with the US.

CNN-IBN spoke to South African Foreign Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on the prospects of sharing nuclear resources with India.

Vidya Shankar Aiyar: You have been here for the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) trilateral summit. Name one concrete measure that the heads of state can take up in October now?

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma: The heads of the state will be looking on signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sharing of energy resources.

Vidya Shankar Aiyar: Does that include talks on atomic energy as well?

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma: Yes, it can include atomic energy sharing between Brazil and us. We would want to sit in the nuclear suppliers group in IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) as India is also looking into that aspect. We are not big in nuclear energy but we have certain plans in the near future.

Vidya Shankar Aiyar: Does South Africa have any objections to sharing its nuclear resources with India?

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma: As you know this whole discussion is going to be put in a multilateral among the nuclear suppliers group.

Vidya Shankar Aiyar: But don't they have to amend their rules to allow nuclear resource sharing with India?

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma: Yes they will have to. Within that context, once US and India finish their negotiations, the matter will come to the nuclear suppliers group. It comprises of 45 countries and we will all have to mark some consensus about it.

Vidya Shankar Aiyar: Recently US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice dismissed the Non-Aligned Movement. India and South Africa are important members of that movement. What do you think about her comment?

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma: She is not a member and hence does not understand it very well. However, she is entitled to her own comments.

Vidya Shankar Aiyar: Thank you very much for talking to us.

(The abovementioned interview is carried from the website, http://www.ibnlive.com)

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
22 July 2007