Taking a step forward towards implementation of bilateral civilian nuclear pacts, India on Monday signed a key safeguards agreement with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, enabling it to indulge in civil nuclear commerce with international community after a gap of 34 years.
The pact allows the international community with which India has signed agreement so far and will sign the deal in future to supply atomic fuel and technology to India, and also authorises UN inspectors to access more of the country’s nuclear facilities.
The so-called safeguards agreement will facilitate IAEA to monitor India’s 14 civilian nuclear reactors by 2014, provided suitable lifetime fuel supply arrangements to India. As per the existing agreements concluded between 1971 and 1994, only six reactors fall under IAEA inspection.
The agreement was signed by IAEA director Mohamed Al Baradei and Indian ambassador to Vienna Saurabh Kumar for the ‘Application of Safeguards to Civilian Nuclear Facilities’.
The safeguards agreement came into existence after several rounds of negotiation between India and UN atomic watchdog, IAEA since Nov 2007, and was finally approved by the 35-member board of governors of the IAEA on August 1 last year, despite apprehensions from some countries that ambiguous wording could limit international monitoring of India’s reactors and undermine the international non-proliferation treaty.
The safeguards agreement provides a special position to India to enter global civilian nuclear commerce while retaining its military nuclear reactors.
The IAEA pact was a pre-condition for 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) waiver to supply material and technology for India’ civilian nuclear power programme and the implementation of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal.
The India Specific Safeguards Agreement (ISSA) will allow operationalisation of agreements inked with France, Russia and US, after a cabinet nod and ratification by the Indian government.
“The agreement is based on goodwill and trust between India and the IAEA. It's an assurance to the international community to enable the resumption of international civil nuclear cooperation with India,” said Saurabh Kumar.
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