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IAEA sets date for India proposal | IAEA sets date for India proposal |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The world nuclear regulatory body will meet on 1 August to consider India's plan for safeguarding its civilian nuclear facilities. | |
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. | 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. |
India has to sign a "safeguards agreement" with the IAEA before it can go ahead with the deal. | India has to sign a "safeguards agreement" with the IAEA before it can go ahead with the deal. |
The agreement will open up India's key civilian nuclear reactors to UN inspections. | The agreement will open up India's key civilian nuclear reactors to UN inspections. |
If the IAEA signs the agreement, the deal will go to the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, which regulates global civilian nuclear trade, for approval. | If the IAEA signs the agreement, the deal will go to the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, which regulates global civilian nuclear trade, for approval. |
"A [special] meeting of the [35-nation] IAEA board of governors will take place on 1 August with the India Safeguards agreement on the agenda," Melissa Fleming, spokeswoman for the Vienna-based IAEA said. | "A [special] meeting of the [35-nation] IAEA board of governors will take place on 1 August with the India Safeguards agreement on the agenda," Melissa Fleming, spokeswoman for the Vienna-based IAEA said. |
Controversial | Controversial |
She said India would brief the IAEA's board of governors on this Friday. | She said India would brief the IAEA's board of governors on this Friday. |
A restricted draft of India's plans for safeguarding nuclear facilities has been given to IAEA's 35 member nations ahead of the meeting. | A restricted draft of India's plans for safeguarding nuclear facilities has been given to IAEA's 35 member nations ahead of the meeting. |
Some critics who have seen the draft have said several points in it appear to restrict international monitoring of India's atomic programme. | Some critics who have seen the draft have said several points in it appear to restrict international monitoring of India's atomic programme. |
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. |
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. |
Meanwhile, left-wing parties in India have launched a national campaign against the nuclear deal. | Meanwhile, left-wing parties in India have launched a national campaign against the nuclear deal. |
The governing coalition, which has now been reduced to a minority after their communist allies withdrew support, will seek a vote of confidence on 22 July. | The governing coalition, which has now been reduced to a minority after their communist allies withdrew support, will seek a vote of confidence on 22 July. |
If the government loses the vote, India faces early elections and the nuclear deal would probably be scuttled. | If the government loses the vote, India faces early elections and the nuclear deal would probably be scuttled. |