Shultz pledges India parts for A-unit if it needs them

The United States pledged to supply safety-related components for an Indian nuclear reactor if India cannot get them anywhere else. The agreement, negotiated by Secretary of State George Shultz, removes an irritant in relations between the countries.

US law bars supply of nuclear fuel or equipment to India and other countries that do not allow full international inspection of all their nuclear facilities. President Reagan can ask Congress for a waiver of the law, however.

To try to avoid a clash with Congress over the supply of US components, the Reagan administration has been consulting other countries that might supply the equipment. But if these countries cannot provide the parts, the US will do so under the new agreement.