Canada welcomes IAEA approval of safeguards pact

TORONTO: Hailing the approval of the India- specific safeguards agreement by the IAEA, Canada has said the decision of the UN atomic watchdog in the favour of a "vibrant democracy" will strengthen global non-proliferation regime.

"India is a vibrant democracy that shares our values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law," Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs David Emerson said in a statement last night.

He said the IAEA Board of Governors' decision to approve the India-specific safeguards pact, a key step towards implementation of the Indo-US nuclear deal, "will strengthen the international non-proliferation regime by placing additional civilian nuclear facilities in the world's largest democracy under international monitoring."

"India's rapidly expanding economy has an increasingly large demand for energy. Canada recognises the need for India to employ clean energy solutions if we are to truly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear power emits virtually no greenhouse gases, and it will play a critical role in developing a clean energy future as part of a global climate change strategy."

Canada "appreciates" the efforts of IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei to negotiate a safeguards agreement with the Government of India, Emerson said.