Mulford hails IAEA Governors' approval of safeguards agreement

New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI) US Ambassador to India David C Mulford today hailed the IAEA Governors clearing the India specific Safeguards Agreement, saying the approval was a key step towards implementing the Indo-US civil nuclear energy cooperation initiative.

''We will work vigorously with the Government of India to obtain India specific exceptions in the Nuclear Suppliers Group,'' Mr Mulford said in a statement here.

He also sought to assure that all efforts will be made to get Congressional approval of the agreement.

The IAEA Board of Governors at its meeting held in Vienna today approved an inspections plan for India by consensus, a step which would open up to India the world market in atomic materials and technology for civilian use.

The safeguards agreement will be applicable to India's 14 declared civilian nuclear reactors, among the total of 22.

UNI NAZ AKJ CS2042