IAEA board to meet on Jul 28 to approve rules for India

VIENNA: Diplomats say the International Atomic Energy Agency will hold a board meeting on July 28 to approve the agency's nuclear rules for India.

The meeting is important because it will move New Delhi forward in its quest to put into action a landmark nuclear deal with the U.S.

Without so-called IAEA safeguards, India cannot hope to gain the business of countries exporting nuclear technology which are grouped in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The NSG group is expected to meet within days after any IAEA board approval of the pact.

The diplomats demanded anonymity in divulging the date of the meeting on Wednsday to the Associated Press because their information was confidential and not yet formally announcd by India or the Vienna-based agency.