India, IAEA to Resume Safeguards Talks

Indian officials were set to resume nuclear safeguards talks today with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Economic Times reported (see GSN, Dec. 10, 2007).

The negotiations are aimed at establishing the rules and methods for the agency to inspect Indian civilian nuclear facilities after a pending U.S.-Indian nuclear trade deal takes effect (see GSN, Dec. 20, 2007).

Prospects for the deal remain uncertain, however, as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has so far failed to persuade allies of his ruling coalition to back the agreement.  Those parties have allowed Singh to negotiate the safeguards agreement, but have warned him not to sign it without their approval.

Two rounds of talks with the agency were held in December, during which officials exchanged proposed drafts, and sources reported that the officials hope that this week’s round will reach a final agreement.

The Indian delegation is led by Ravi Grover, head of the Indian nuclear agency’s strategic planning division (Economic Times, Jan. 2).

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