India set to sign new initiative to protect n-material, facilities

If the Cabinet decides to ratify the amendment, India will be the first country with nuclear weapons to do so. Until now, only 10 countries have ratified this amendment and these include countries like Algeria, Nigeria, Austria and Bulgaria among others.

Though the convention only applies to the fuel on the civilian side of the nuclear programme, sources say the step will send a positive signal to the US and the international community at a time when New Delhi is negotiating the 123 bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement with Washington.

What is significant is that there is a separate clause on physical protection of the US-origin fuel and materials in this agreement. By ratifying this amendment, India will send out the message that it is willing to unilaterally accept such commitments. The hope is this would settle doubts among non-proliferation experts who continue to raise the prospect of India diverting fuel to its military programme.

While the 1980 convention established measures related to the prevention, detection and punishment of offences relating to nuclear material, a diplomatic conference was convened on July 8, 2005 to amend the Convention and strengthen its provisions.

Delegates from 89 countries present at the meeting had okayed the amended Convention. he new rules will come into effect once they have been ratified by two-thirds of the 112 countries.