Kiran

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors today approved by consensus a nuclear safeguards agreement with India, calling for the application of IAEA safeguards to Indian civilian nuclear facilities.

During the one-day meeting, the 35-member board deliberated on the agreement between the government of India and the IAEA for the application of safeguards to civilian nuclear facilities, a 22-page framework which requests the IAEA to verify that some declared Indian nuclear material and facilities are used only for peaceful purposes.

Termed an “umbrella” arrangement, it will allow India to add facilities over time to be placed under the IAEA safeguards. The agreement is set to come into force once the IAEA receives notification that India’s statutory and constitutional requirements have been met.

The agreement is modelled on the same safeguards that apply on six Indian facilities under IAEA supervision, following safeguards deals concluded between 1971 and 1994. Known as Information Circular/66-type (INFCIRC/66-type) safeguards agreement, they are standard safeguards practices and procedures.

These agreements are not comprehensive or full-scope. The agreement is an “umbrella”, which provides for any facility notified by India to the IAEA in the future to become subject to the safeguards. India can also withdraw facilities from safeguards.

In his address to the board, IAEA Director General ElBaradei stated that the IAEA would begin to implement the new safeguards deal in 2009 with the aim to bring 14 Indian reactors under agency safeguards by 2014.

The text of the deal was finalised after several rounds of consultations between India and the IAEA, which began in November 2007, and the draft deal was circulated to board members last month.

ElBaradei also announced that the IAEA and India were currently in dialogue concerning an additional protocol agreement, the legal document which laid out conditions for and facilitates inspections by IAEA teams.

“We expect to start implementing the agreement at new facilities in 2009,” ElBaradei said in his address.