Delhi: Meeting to discuss nuclear terrorism concludes

Atomic Energy Commission of India member R.B Grover highlighted the importance of proliferation resistant technological options that contribute to nuclear security.

New Delhi, Feb 10: This year's meeting of the Implementation and Assessment Group of the Global Initiative to combat nuclear terrorism concluded in the national capital on Friday after reviewing the activities of the partner countries in 2016-17.

The meeting also deliberated on the outcomes of the activities of these countries held in The Hague, Bucharest, Panama City and Bratislava.

"Some of the important themes that were discussed during the IAG meeting concluded today in Delhi include ratification of international treaties relevant to nuclear security, radioactive source security, sustainability, strengthening institutional knowledge and challenges encountered in adopting and implementing national legislation involving radioactive and nuclear material," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

"The three GICNT technical working groups met in parallel sessions to review the tasks accomplished from 2015-17 and examine and prioritise objectives for the coming years," he stated.

Delivering the concluding address, Atomic Energy Commission of India member R.B Grover highlighted the importance of proliferation resistant technological options that contribute to nuclear security.

In particular, he urged the GICNT to focus on the security of radio-isotopes that could be separated from spent fuel.

Earlier on February 8, in his welcome address, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar highlighted the pervasive threat posed by terrorism to international security.

He emphasised the need to clamp down on terrorism and prevent nuclear material and technology from falling into the hands of terrorists and non-state actors.

In this regard, he commended the work of the GICNT in building an international network of experts and practitioners to address nuclear and radiological security in a comprehensive manner.

GICNT is a voluntary international partnership of 86 nations and five international organisations that are committed to strengthening global capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to nuclear terrorism.

It works towards this goal by conducting multilateral activities that strengthen the plans, policies, procedures, and interoperability of partner nations.

The New Delhi event was attended by 152 delegates from 41 GICNT partner countries and four international organisations -- International Atomic Energy Agency , Interpol, European Union and the UN Office on drugs and crime.

IANS