U.S. Says Nuclear Double-Standard On India Justified

The United States acknowledged on Monday it was employing a double-standard in its separate approaches to India and Iran's nuclear programs, but admitted its policies were justified by the behavior of the two countries.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, when asked whether a civilian nuclear cooperation deal between Washington and New Delhi might send the wrong message to Iran replied, "Is there a double-standard? Yeah. There should be."Boucher – the head of central and south Asian affairs in the State was in Berlin for discussions with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.  

 When the U.S. nuclear deal with India was unveiled in March, Steinmeier said the timing of the agreement was "not helpful" as it coincided with talks with Iran over its nuclear program.

Even though India has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has already developed atomic bombs, the deal would enable the country to receive American atomic technology and fuel.

The United States, supported by Europe, is demanding that Iran, which is a member of the NPT and is sans nuclear weapons, stop key aspects of its nuclear program on suspicion that it plans to develop atomic bombs.

Iran, however his its uranium enrichment program from the nuclear watchdog of the United Nations for 18 years before declaring it in 2003 saying it is for purely peaceful purposes.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the nuclear deal regarding India in late July and the Senate is due to vote on it later this month.