IAEA smooths way for US-India accord

The Financial Times
Aug 2, 2008

The United Nations atomic watchdog yesterday approved a controversial agreement that would increase the number of Indian nuclear reactors it inspects in a move that should ease the way for a nuclear co-operation deal between the US and India. The unanimous approval by the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna will expand from six to 14 the numbers of reactors under IAEA safeguards, leaving eight others not under the agency's remit. The approval is the first of two international steps required before the US-India pact, which allows the sales of civil nuclear technology and materials to India, can be finalised. The second step - where the agreement could face greater resistance - is approval from the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, which has hitherto barred transfers of nuclear-related equipment to India.