11 Jul (NucNet): India has unveiled the text of a draft safeguards
agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that could
give it access to the world's nuclear fuel market.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government concluded the agreement with the Vienna-based agency earlier this year but did not release its contents.
According to the text of the agreement, published on India's Ministry of External Affairs website, India has agreed to separate its civilian and military plants in phases, reserves the right to develop indigenous strategic reserves of nuclear fuel and can take corrective measures to ensure uninterrupted supply in the event of disruption of foreign fuel supplies.
It must also ensure against any withdrawal of safeguarded nuclear fuel from civilian use.
The IAEA said on 9 July 2008 that the draft agreement had been circulated to members of its board of governors for their consideration. The agency is planning to set a date for a board meeting when the draft agreement can be considered.
India is hoping to complete a bilateral agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation with the US that will allow full civil nuclear energy cooperation between the two countries. The agreement still has to be approved by the US Congress, while India needs to get clearances from the Nuclear Suppliers Group and conclude the agreement to place its civilian reactors under IAEA safeguards.
Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
US And India Announce Agreement On Civil Nuclear Cooperation (News No.177, 27 July 2007)
IAEA Chief To Discuss Safeguards Agreement In India (News in Brief No. 25, 7 September 2007)
