India seeks early lifting of restrictions on nuclear technology

Addressing the 49th general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) here, the Chairman of India’s Atomic Energy Commission, Anil Kakodkar, welcomed the cooperative approach of several key countries on nuclear energy production.

Listing several factors in India’s favour—its non-proliferation record and its adherence to all international commitments—Kakodkar hoped these would result in the ‘‘lifting of all restrictions on it’’.

He said India was prepared to take ‘‘reciprocal steps’’ if it obtained the ‘‘same benefits and advantages’’ as other nuclear powers. ‘‘This would be in keeping with the responsibilities and obligations of an advanced nuclear power with the objective of full civilian nuclear energy cooperation with international partners,’’ he stressed.

Kakodkar made it clear that the full autonomy of India’s nuclear programme would be ensured while undertaking these steps.

Kakodkar said India wants to see a rapid increase in nuclear power generation capacity in the country, well above the planned programme of achieving 20,000 MWE by the year 2020.