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India gives nuclear plans to IAEA | India gives nuclear plans to IAEA |
(about 1 hour later) | |
India has submitted its plans for safeguarding its civilian nuclear facilities to the world nuclear regulatory body. | India has submitted its plans for safeguarding its civilian nuclear facilities to the world nuclear regulatory body. |
The International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) approval of the plan is a key condition for putting into effect a nuclear deal between India and US. | The International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) approval of the plan is a key condition for putting into effect a nuclear deal between India and US. |
Left-wing parties in India have pulled out of the governing coalition in protest against the deal. | |
The government says it is needed to meet soaring energy demands. | The government says it is needed to meet soaring energy demands. |
India is under pressure from Washington to sign the accord before the US presidential elections in November. | India is under pressure from Washington to sign the accord before the US presidential elections in November. |
Reports say a restricted draft of India's plans for safeguarding nuclear facilities has been given to IAEA's 35 member nations ahead of a meeting to approve the agreement. | Reports say a restricted draft of India's plans for safeguarding nuclear facilities has been given to IAEA's 35 member nations ahead of a meeting to approve the agreement. |
'Big problem' | 'Big problem' |
Daryl Kimball of the Washington-based Arms Control Association told Reuters news agency that there were several points in the draft that appear to restrict international monitoring of India's atomic programme. | Daryl Kimball of the Washington-based Arms Control Association told Reuters news agency that there were several points in the draft that appear to restrict international monitoring of India's atomic programme. |
He said the draft says India may "take corrective measures to ensure uninterrupted operation of its civilian nuclear reactors in the event of disruption of foreign fuel supplies". | He said the draft says India may "take corrective measures to ensure uninterrupted operation of its civilian nuclear reactors in the event of disruption of foreign fuel supplies". |
Fuel supplies could be disrupted only if India were to resume testing nuclear weapons, experts say. | Fuel supplies could be disrupted only if India were to resume testing nuclear weapons, experts say. |
"Does this mean that India intends to withdraw from what are supposed to be permanent safeguards if it tests and other states decide to terminate fuel supplies?" Mr Kimball said. | |
"If so, that is a big problem and the Indian government has not clarified what it means." | "If so, that is a big problem and the Indian government has not clarified what it means." |
The US had restricted nuclear co-operation with India - which has not signed the 1972 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) - since it first tested a nuclear weapon in 1974. | The US had restricted nuclear co-operation with India - which has not signed the 1972 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) - since it first tested a nuclear weapon in 1974. |
Under the terms of the nuclear accord, India would get access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel. | Under the terms of the nuclear accord, India would get access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel. |
NUCLEAR POWER IN INDIA India has 14 reactors in commercial operation and nine under constructionNuclear power supplies about 3% of India's electricityBy 2050, nuclear power is expected to provide 25% of the country's electricityIndia has limited coal and uranium reservesIts huge thorium reserves - about 25% of the world's total - are expected to fuel its nuclear power programme long-termSource: Uranium Information Center | NUCLEAR POWER IN INDIA India has 14 reactors in commercial operation and nine under constructionNuclear power supplies about 3% of India's electricityBy 2050, nuclear power is expected to provide 25% of the country's electricityIndia has limited coal and uranium reservesIts huge thorium reserves - about 25% of the world's total - are expected to fuel its nuclear power programme long-termSource: Uranium Information Center |
In return, Delhi would open its civilian nuclear facilities to inspection - but its nuclear weapons sites would remain off-limits. | In return, Delhi would open its civilian nuclear facilities to inspection - but its nuclear weapons sites would remain off-limits. |
US President George W Bush has spoken again of the importance of the deal in talks with Indian PM Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the G8 summit in Japan on Wednesday. | US President George W Bush has spoken again of the importance of the deal in talks with Indian PM Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the G8 summit in Japan on Wednesday. |
Critics of the deal fear assistance to India's civil programme could free-up additional radioactive material for bomb-making purposes. | Critics of the deal fear assistance to India's civil programme could free-up additional radioactive material for bomb-making purposes. |
The deal now needs to be approved by the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as by the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, which regulates global civilian nuclear trade. | The deal now needs to be approved by the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as by the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, which regulates global civilian nuclear trade. |
Separately, Mr Singh is due to meet the Indian president to discuss political developments arising out of the left-wing parties' withdrawal of support to the government. | Separately, Mr Singh is due to meet the Indian president to discuss political developments arising out of the left-wing parties' withdrawal of support to the government. |
The communists, who command 59 seats in the lower house of parliament, formally withdrew support for the government on Wednesday after it vowed to press ahead with the agreement. | The communists, who command 59 seats in the lower house of parliament, formally withdrew support for the government on Wednesday after it vowed to press ahead with the agreement. |
The Congress-led government is hoping that a regional party will help them survive a vote of confidence and fend off early elections. | The Congress-led government is hoping that a regional party will help them survive a vote of confidence and fend off early elections. |
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