India confident to go ahead with IAEA approval on N-deal

As the (International Atomic Energy Agency) IAEA Board of Governors’ meet in Vienna is scheduled on Friday (August 1) to decide the steps for India specific safeguard agreement needed prior to the finalisation of the deal, the stand of Pakistan and China is still mysterious though it is expected that both the countries may vote for the approval agreement under long-term strategic gain and international pressure.

Pakistan has already termed the deal as ‘discriminatory’ in nature and hence demanded for a similar deal, however, the United States has outrightly rejected the demand citing the country’s poor track record. Apart from IAEA board approval, India has already started its consultation process with 45-member countries of Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) whose meeting will also be held in Vienna between August 21 and 23.

By the approval of draft agreement, India would open its 14 of 22 existing or under construction reactors under the surveillance to the United Nations nuclear watchdog IAEA. Later of it is accepted by NSG nations, India would get access to sensitive nuclear material and technology. However, being a state outside Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), India will have the right to continue its process of nuclear weapon development.

Though it is highly unlikely that the deal might bring any high-level opposition but India is in touch with all 35 IAEA member states, especially 19 members of the board who are also in the NSG to carry a favourable impression to the forthcoming NSG meet.

According to analyst both IAEA and NSG have to make certain exemptions for India as it is not a member of NPT. India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel have atomic weapons and hence not given access to nuclear technology or fuel from the NSG countries as per the rules. This is probably the main cause of fear from the part of some of the member nations as countries like Pakistan, Iran might insist on access to international nuclear technology supplies.

Gregory L Schulte, US Ambassador to IAEA, Vienna says "The safeguards agreement is a standard agreement it was negotiated by the IAEA experts legal and safeguards affairs. It is a good sound agreement and endorsement by the board on Friday.”