AEC chairman Dr Kakodkar lobbies for support on nuclear deal in Vienna

30 July 2008

Mumbai: Atomic Energy Commission chairman Dr Anil Kakodkar has arrived in Vienna for negotiations on the safeguards agreement and an additional protocol, ahead of a crucial meeting of UN nuclear watchdog IAEA on Friday.

Kakodkar will also lobby NSG members to give New Delhi a ''clean'' waiver for implementation of the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement.

The AEC chief will begin talks a day after the US circulated a draft note prepared by it for the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

After the IAEA meeting on 1 August, the US is planning to circulate the final note to the NSG members to consider India's demands.

Kakodkar, who will have a series of meetings to ensure a smooth sailing at the 35-member IAEA board of governors, will also hold talks with all NSG members for getting a ''clean waiver'' ahead of the group's first meeting early next month.

Consultations with the IAEA began this week on an India-specific 'additional protocol' for inspection of its civilian nuclear power plants as per the Indo-US agreement on civil nuclear cooperation signed in July 2005.