India has taken a crucial step toward implementing a nuclear deal with
the United States by submitting a draft nuclear safeguards accord to
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The IAEA said Wednesday the text had been sent to its 35-nation board for approval. Board members now have to decide on a date for a special meeting, which diplomats say could happen as early as the end of this month.
India must also obtain a waiver from the 45-nation Nuclear Supplier Group, which expressed serious doubts about the deal because New Delhi refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The proposed nuclear deal will give India access to civilian nuclear technology. But New Delhi will have to separate its civilian and military nuclear programs and allow international inspectors into the country.
The IAEA said Wednesday the text had been sent to its 35-nation board for approval. Board members now have to decide on a date for a special meeting, which diplomats say could happen as early as the end of this month.
India must also obtain a waiver from the 45-nation Nuclear Supplier Group, which expressed serious doubts about the deal because New Delhi refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The proposed nuclear deal will give India access to civilian nuclear technology. But New Delhi will have to separate its civilian and military nuclear programs and allow international inspectors into the country.