ElBaradei gets Indira prize, PM lauds his role in nuclear deal

India today deeply appreciated the role played by outgoing International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei in helping India successfully pursue a global civil nuclear agreement, as President Pratibha Patil presented the 2008 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development Prize to him.

At a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan, ElBaradei was given the prestigious award for "his impassioned opposition to the use of nuclear energy for military purposes and his steadfast espousal of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, sustained over many years".

Describing ElBaradei as "a very distinguished diplomat, a scholar, an international civil servant of the highest order and a world statesman," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was present, lauded the director-general of the international nuclear watchdog agency for bringing about "a fundamental transformation in the way we look at atomic energy".

The prime minister also conveyed India's appreciation to Nobel laureate ElBaradei, a former Egyptian diplomat, for supporting India's civil nuclear initiative and his deep understanding of the "intrinsic links between peace, disarmament and development".

"The successful conclusion of India's civil nuclear initiative was in no small measure due to the enlightened approach of ElBaradei to the issues involved," Manmohan Singh said. ''I would like to convey to him the heartfelt appreciation of the government and people of India. India is now poised for a major expansion of its nuclear programme in which international cooperation will be an important component."

The 67-year-old ElBaradei played an important role in India clinching the safeguards agreement with the IAEA, which paved the way for the Nuclear Suppliers Group clearing New Delhi's re-entry into international nuclear commerce on 6 September last year.