Kakodkar’s Vienna visit for IAEA meet still uncertain
AMID the widening rift between the Left and the UPA over the Indo-US nuclear deal, uncertainty surrounds Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar’s scheduled visit to Vienna for a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nex...
By TNN |
MUMBAI: AMID the widening rift between the Left and the UPA over the Indo-US nuclear deal, uncertainty surrounds Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar’s scheduled visit to Vienna for a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) next week.
The IAEA general conference in Vienna begins on September 17 and Mr Kakodkar, as per earlier plan, is expected to address the gathering on September 19. However, barely a week to go for his visit, India’s top nuclear scientist is unsure about his plans as he is yet to receive specific instructions on the issue from the Centre.
“I have not received any indication on the topic from the Centre till date,” Mr Kakodkar told mediapersons in Mumbai. A fortnight ago, Mr Kakodkar had admitted that there were some “constraints” related to talks on India-specific safeguards but refused to elaborate. According to sources from the nuclear establishment, the controversial Indo-US nuclear deal is slated to come up for informal discussions at the conference.
Though the Centre is working on plans to seek support of its alliance partners as the Left continues to oppose it, Mr Kakodkar has not got any information on going ahead with discussions at the IAEA on safeguards pertaining to the Indo-US deal.
The Left parties have made it clear that they would take into consideration the findings of the UPA-Left committee on the nuclear deal before proceeding on the issue of operationalising the agreement. Scientists in favour of the deal are hoping that the Centre may come up with directions just before the IAEA conference to allow Mr Kakodkar to go ahead with talks on the safeguards.
The deal is being closely monitored by the nuclear industry, domestic and foreign alike as it opens up a major business opportunity for the sector. Of late, many global majors in the nuclear energy sector have been visiting India, hoping to get a significant pie of the business. The Left’s opposition, however, to the deal has put a big question mark over it.
Meanwhile, efforts are on to give go-ahead to Indian scientists’ participation at Vienna in other technical sessions. The IAEA is also organising a two-day scientific forum, which has a session on nuclear energy for developing countries, that will be attended by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) director S Banerjee. The IAEA general conference will also be attended by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board chairman SK Sharma, who is also a member of the International Nuclear Safety Group (INSAG).
The IAEA general conference in Vienna begins on September 17 and Mr Kakodkar, as per earlier plan, is expected to address the gathering on September 19. However, barely a week to go for his visit, India’s top nuclear scientist is unsure about his plans as he is yet to receive specific instructions on the issue from the Centre.
“I have not received any indication on the topic from the Centre till date,” Mr Kakodkar told mediapersons in Mumbai. A fortnight ago, Mr Kakodkar had admitted that there were some “constraints” related to talks on India-specific safeguards but refused to elaborate. According to sources from the nuclear establishment, the controversial Indo-US nuclear deal is slated to come up for informal discussions at the conference.
Though the Centre is working on plans to seek support of its alliance partners as the Left continues to oppose it, Mr Kakodkar has not got any information on going ahead with discussions at the IAEA on safeguards pertaining to the Indo-US deal.
The Left parties have made it clear that they would take into consideration the findings of the UPA-Left committee on the nuclear deal before proceeding on the issue of operationalising the agreement. Scientists in favour of the deal are hoping that the Centre may come up with directions just before the IAEA conference to allow Mr Kakodkar to go ahead with talks on the safeguards.
The deal is being closely monitored by the nuclear industry, domestic and foreign alike as it opens up a major business opportunity for the sector. Of late, many global majors in the nuclear energy sector have been visiting India, hoping to get a significant pie of the business. The Left’s opposition, however, to the deal has put a big question mark over it.
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Meanwhile, efforts are on to give go-ahead to Indian scientists’ participation at Vienna in other technical sessions. The IAEA is also organising a two-day scientific forum, which has a session on nuclear energy for developing countries, that will be attended by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) director S Banerjee. The IAEA general conference will also be attended by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board chairman SK Sharma, who is also a member of the International Nuclear Safety Group (INSAG).
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