How does Italy view the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal?
Let me be frank. Italy is a strong supporter of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We favour nuclear disarmament, a reduction of nuclear arsenals. India’s nuclear tests left Italian public opinion disappointed. But that was some years ago. Now we have to be realistic about the situation. The deal could represent a positive step provided it implies a serious regime of verifications. Through this deal, India becomes a part of the international system of controls. Controls on civilian nuclear programmes and controls on export of nuclear materials. Without in any way interfering in Indian internal affairs, I consider those positive steps not just as Indo-U.S. relations, but part of the international system of nuclear controls. That would be positive. It is not just by chance that El Baradei and the IAEA have been positive towards these developments. Ours is not exactly the point of view of the U.S. administration. Why a different yardstick for Iran, then? The first difference is that India is a
