Government unveils the safeguards text agreement

Amid controversies, claims and counter-claims, the Centre has unveiled the  text of safeguards agreement reached with IAEA.

Under the agreement India will place its civilian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards to facilitate full civil nuclear cooperation between India and members of IAEA.

The agreement envisages support for Indian effort to develop a strategic reserve of nuclear fuel to guard against any disruption of supply over the life time of India's reactors.

India may take corrective measures to ensure uninterrupted operation of its civilian nuclear reactors in the event of disruption of foreign fuel supplies.

India undertakes that none of the items produced in the safeguarded facilities shall be used for the manufacture of any nuclear weapon or to further any other military purpose. Such items shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not be used for the manufacture of any nuclear explosive device, the draft said.

The safeguards agreement is applicable only to nuclear facilities notified by India.  India will solely determine facilities to be put under IAEA safeguards, says draft agreement. 

India shall notify to the IAEA within four weeks any nuclear or non-nuclear material, equipment and components received for the nuclear facilities under safeguards, says draft agreement.

IAEA will maintain an inventory of items supplied to India subject to the safeguards agreement and send a copy to New Delhi every 12 months.