IBSA agrees on enhanced civil energy cooperation

Brasilia, Sept 14: In a major boost to India's efforts to promote its civilian nuclear energy programe, the first summit of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum today agreed that international cooperation in this area could be enhanced through "acceptable forward-looking approaches." "They agreed that international civilian nuclear cooperation, under appropriate IAEA safeguards, amongst countries committed to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation objectives could be enhanced through acceptable forward-looking approaches, consistent with their respective national and international obligations." the joint declaration issued at the end of the one-day summit said.

The summit was attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil and Thabo Mbeki of South Africa.

The three leaders emphasized the need to ensure the supply of safe, sustainable and non-polluting sources of energy to meet the rising global demand for energy, particularly in developing countries.

In this context they agreed that nuclear energy could play an important role.

They agreed to explore approaches to cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy under appropriate IAEA safeguards.

The three leaders reaffirmed the inalienable right of all States to the peaceful application of nuclear energy, consistent with their international legal obligations.

They called for a diplomatic resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue within the context of the IAEA.

The declaration expressed satisfaction at the cooperation among the three countries at the IAEA and other fora and reiterated their will to intensify such interaction.

The three countries reiterated the importance of ensuring that any multilateral decisions related to the nuclear fuel cycle do not undermine the inalienable right of States to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in conformity with their international legal obligations.

Brazil is currently the chair of the 44-member Nuclear Suppliers Group and South Africa one of its members.

UNI

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