India to sign IAEA inspection deal, clear hurdle for nuclear commerce
30 Jan 2009
India is expected to sign an inspection agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, on Monday, for operationalising the Indo-US agreement on civil nuclear co-operation.
The inspection deal with the Vienna-based IAEA was a precondition for India's nuclear deal with the United States that would allow India acquire nuclear materials and technology for the power sector.
"We have set some time aside for this on Monday," Saurabh Kumar, India's ambassador to IAEA, said. He did not elaborate.
The agreement has to be ratified by the Indian government before it can come into effect.
The draft agreement mandates India to make its 14 declared civilian reactors, out of a total 22, open to inspection by IAEA.
A delegation of American nuclear companies, currently on a business visit to India, is reported to have cited difficulties in setting up or selling nuclear reactors or nuclear fuel to the country.
Even after signing the inspection agreement with IAEA, it would take two to three years for companies to overcome the bureaucratic hurdles, complete commercial negotiations and sign the contract.
The agreement with the IAEA has been facilitated by the lifting of a ban on nuclear commerce with India by the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) in September. The ban followed India's conducting an underground nuclear explosion in 1974,
While the agreement would help US companies tap one of the biggest markets for nuclear technology and equipment, it would also help India meet its rising energy demand.
IAEA expects to have the reactors under inspection by 2014.
