India, IAEA talks on Safeguards Agreement end

New Delhi, Jul 8: Indian and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials today held discussions on the application of safeguards to nuclear material and facilities that constitute India's civilian nuclear programme.

The Indian delegation at the talks was led by Mr Hamid Ali Rao, Joint Secretary (Diarmament) in the External Affairs Ministry. Officials of the External Affairs Ministry, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Defence Ministry also attended the meeting.

The day-long talks for India-Specific Safeguards Agreement followed approval to Bush Administration by the US Congressional panel and the Senate committee last week clearing the first step for imlementation of the July 18 civilian nuclear agreement.

Under the Nuclear Separation Plan, presented by New Delhi, India will separate its civilian and military programmes and place 14 of its 22 nuclear plants under international safeguards in return for civilian nuclear technology.

The US will amend its Atomic Energy Act which prohibits it from trading nuclear technology with countries which have not signed the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, The Bush Administration needs US Congress approval for amending the law.

The discussions between Indian and IAEA officials are just one of the steps needed for implementation of the July 18 agreement.

The agreement will also require approval of the 45-nation powerful nuclear lobby, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)-- before India finally gets the nod for civilian nuclear trade.

All the steps are being worked on simultaneously, US and Inian officials say.

US expects the Congress to give approval by July end and the entire process leading to the implementation of the agreement, to be complete by the end of the year.

UNI