Won’t put all n-reactors under safeguards: MEA

While confirming India’s affirmative vote,MEA Spokesperson Vishnu Prakash contested that the news report made an “implicit” suggestion about India agreeing to place all its nuclear reactors under safeguards. “Article is both misleading and inaccurate. There is no question of India agreeing to put all its n-reactors under safeguards. India voted in favour of the resolution and made an explanation of vote (EOV) to place on record its principled position.”

It may be noted that the news report at no place states that India has agreed to place all its reactors under safeguards. On the contrary,it clearly refers to the explanation of vote and the fact that India took exception to the precondition of comprehensive safeguards.

The EOV,as put out by the MEA,only elaborates on this. It states that India would want to participate as a “supplier state” in such a venture but also added: “We are of the view that fuel bank arrangements should be available to all IAEA member states which require such arrangements. The right of any member state to carry out research and development on nuclear fuel cycles for peaceful purposes should not be affected by these arrangements. We also believe that artificial restrictions should not be imposed on supplier states which are in a position to support such fuel supply arrangements.” On NPT linkages,India stated: “India is not a party to the NPT. India,therefore,is not bound by the decisions of the NPT Review Conference. Nothing in the resolution can derogate the rights of member states of the IAEA as provided in its Statute.” Rather,the Indian delegation made it known that it would expect the IAEA DG to act within the statutes of the IAEA,implying that other treaties such as the NPT should not serve as a guide. “We believe that the implementation of the resolution,including the role played by the DG,should remain strictly within the bounds of the Statute of the IAEA and the respective safeguard agreements between member states and the Agency.”