India engaged in illicit nuclear trade: report

WASHINGTON - An influential American newspaper Thursday published a report that questioned the adequacy and implementation of India’s export control and nuclear classification procedures, saying that sensitive nuclear blueprints were leaked by an Indian government agency in 2006.

Sensitive drawings depicting the inner workings of a centrifuge, used to enrich uranium for nuclear bombs, were made available to bidders for a government project for as little as $10 (about Rs 450) in 2006, the Washington Post said.

The report titled "'06 Blueprint Leak Intensifies Concerns Over US-India Deal" came a day ahead of the meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, headed by Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden, to review the implementing Indo-US nuclear deal and put it on fast track for approval.