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UN ponders India-US nuclear deal UN debates India-US nuclear deal
(about 17 hours later)
The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is set to approve a crucial nuclear deal between India and the US. The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is discussing a civilian nuclear deal between India and the US.
Correspondents say that approval is expected to be granted despite qualms about whether it rewards a non-proliferation outsider.Correspondents say that approval is expected to be granted despite qualms about whether it rewards a non-proliferation outsider.
The IAEA's approval of the plan is a key condition for enacting it. IAEA ratification of the plan is a key condition for enacting it.
India's government recently survived a confidence vote over the deal, which it says is vital to meet energy demands. India's government recently survived a confidence vote over the deal, and says it is vital to meet energy demands.
As the meeting got under way in the Austrian capital, Vienna, IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei said a basic inspection plan for India met agency safeguards
"It satisfies India's needs while maintaining all the agency's legal requirements," he told the 35-nation board.
Talks had started on a system of extended checks, he added.
IAEA inspectors are supposed to monitor Indian nuclear reactors to ensure fuel is not diverted to military use.
Hurdles
The deal would allow India to enter the world market in nuclear fuel and technology - as long as it is for civilian purposes.The deal would allow India to enter the world market in nuclear fuel and technology - as long as it is for civilian purposes.
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
It had previously been banned from doing so under the terms of a 30-year embargo imposed because of its testing of atomic bombs and refusal to join the global Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).It had previously been banned from doing so under the terms of a 30-year embargo imposed because of its testing of atomic bombs and refusal to join the global Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Under the terms of the accord, India would get access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel.
In return, Delhi would open its civilian nuclear facilities to inspection - but its nuclear weapons sites would remain off-limits.
Correspondents say that if India gets IAEA approval, 14 of its 22 existing or planned reactors would come under regular IAEA surveillance.Correspondents say that if India gets IAEA approval, 14 of its 22 existing or planned reactors would come under regular IAEA surveillance.
India must then win an unprecedented waiver from the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) later in August which would allow it to trade in sensitive nuclear materials.India must then win an unprecedented waiver from the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) later in August which would allow it to trade in sensitive nuclear materials.
The deal must also be ratified by the US Congress.The deal must also be ratified by the US Congress.
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
Delhi is under pressure from Washington to sign the accord before the US presidential elections in November.Delhi is under pressure from Washington to sign the accord before the US presidential elections in November.
Under the terms of the accord, India would get access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel.
In return, Delhi would open its civilian nuclear facilities to inspection - but its nuclear weapons sites would remain off-limits.
'Consultations''Consultations'
Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon is leading a team of officials in the Austrian capital, Vienna, to brief member countries of the IAEA and the NSG on the planned safeguards. Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon is leading a team of officials in Vienna to brief member countries of the IAEA and the NSG on the planned safeguards.
US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns is also in Vienna for "consultations at the IAEA relating to the nuclear deal [with India]", according to State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns is also in Vienna for "consultations at the IAEA relating to the nuclear deal [with India]", according to State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.
The US restricted nuclear co-operation with India - which has not signed the 1972 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) - after it first tested a nuclear weapon in 1974. The US restricted nuclear co-operation with India after it first tested a nuclear weapon in 1974.
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 say it creates a dangerous precedent - allowing India access to fuel and technology without requiring it to sign the NPT as other countries must do.
They fear assistance to India's civil programme could free-up additional radioactive material for bomb-making purposes.
But, despite the reservations, the BBC's Kerry Skyring in Vienna says diplomats believe IAEA approval is likely because the inspections will mean a net gain in nuclear safeguards.