NEW DELHI, 9 July 2006 — Talks between India and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on proposed safeguards agreement that is needed to permit international community to resume nuclear trade with New Delhi have been described as “productive and suvccessful.”
The day-long discussions between the two sides focused on several aspects, including legal provisions and technical details, that are expected to form part of the India-specific agreement.
The two sides held “useful and productive technical discussions on concepts relating to India-specific safeguards emanating from the Indo-US Joint Statement of July 18, 2005,” official sources said.
The two sides also discussed the monitoring mechanism that should be in place with regard to 14 Indian civilian nuclear reactors identified by India under the separation plan of Indo-US civil nuclear deal, sources said.
The nuclear deal was signed in March during President George W. Bush’s New Delhi visit. As per this deal, New Delhi and IAEA have to work out an “India-specific Safeguards Agreement” for supervision of civilian nuclear facilities of this country. The New Delhi-IAEA safeguards agreement needs to be put in place before the US Congress approves changes in law to allow nuclear trade with India.
The four-member IAEA delegation, which arrived here on Friday, included Deputy Director General (Safeguards) Olli Heinonen and Director (External Relations and Policy Coordination) Vilmos Cserveny. The Indian team was led by Joint Secretary (Disarmament) in the External Affairs Ministry Hamid Ali Rao and included officials from Department of Atomic Energy.
India is interested in seeking an early conclusion of the agreement with IAEA to facilitate securing an approval of the US Congress. Discussions between the two sides have not as yet reached any conclusive stage. They will be continued at a mutually convenient date.
