‘Talks with IAEA on N -safeguards fruitful’

The officials of the International Atmoic Energy Agency met with Indian officials to negotiate the safeguards agreement...

The officials of the International Atmoic Energy Agency (IAEA) met with Indian officials to negotiate the safeguards agreement, required to allow the international community to resume nuclear trade with New Delhi. The discussion centred around concepts relating to India-specific safeguards in wake of the Indo-US joint statement of July 18, 2005, on civilian nuclear cooperation.

A statement by the Ministry of External Affairs termed the discussion as useful and productive. Both teams will meet again to continue with the discussion.

The IAEA team comprised Olli Heinonen, Deputy Director General (Safeguards), Vilmos Cserveny, Director (External Relations and Policy Coordination), Johanne Rautenbac Nackartes, Director (Safeguard Operations) and the Indian side was led by Joint Secretary (Disarmament) in the External Affairs Ministry, Hamid Ali Rao. Officials of the Department of Atomic Energy were also part of the discussions with the IAEA team. Under the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, New Delhi and the IAEA have to work out an ‘‘India-specific safeguards agreement’’. India has classified 14 of its 22 reactors as civilian to be covered by the safeguards.