New Delhi: India and the US have finalised
negotiations on arrangements and procedures for reprocessing
of American-origin spent fuel, a key step for implementation
of the historic civil nuclear deal signed in September 2008.
The negotiations were held as per a clause in the 123
Agreement that mandated India to set up a dedicated
reprocessing facility under IAEA safeguards where the spent
nuclear fuel from the US could be reprocessed.
"The United States and India have taken an important
step toward implementing civil nuclear cooperation by
completing negotiations on `arrangements and procedures` for
reprocessing US-origin spent nuclear fuel," the State
Department said in a statement.
Under the 123 Agreement, negotiations on reprocessing
were to be started six months after the signing of 123
Agreement and concluded within a year thereafter.
Accordingly, the negotiations were started in August
last year and completed well in advance.
"The United States of America and the Republic of India
are close to completing an historic partnership on civil
nuclear cooperation, an issue of global significance. The two
countries have finalized negotiations on arrangements and
procedures for reprocessing U.S.-origin spent nuclear fuel,"
US Ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer said while making the
announcement in a statement.
The completion of these arrangements would facilitate
participation of US firms in India`s rapidly-expanding civil
nuclear sector, the State Department said.
"The United States and India are one step closer to
ensuring greater access to clean and affordable energy and
electricity for all Indians, particularly those most in need,"
Timothy said.
He said the important step was "part of the great,
win-win narrative of the US-India global partnership,
affirming the commitment of our two countries to realize the
full potential of our landmark civil nuclear agreement."
Pointing out that these arrangements will enable Indian
reprocessing of U.S.-obligated nuclear material under IAEA
safeguards, the US envoy said it would "help open the door for
US firms in India’s rapidly-expanding energy sector,
creating thousands of jobs" for the citizens of both the
countries.
"Along with the great progress our countries are making
in the realm of civil nuclear energy, we recognize that Prime
Minister (Manmohan) Singh shares President (Barack) Obama?s
bold vision for a nuclear weapons-free world," he said.
He applauded India’s "outstanding track record on
non-proliferation issues and we look forward to our
continuing cooperation in this area."
The arrangements were negotiated pursuant to Article
6(iii) of the historic Agreement for Cooperation between India
and the United States concerning peaceful uses of nuclear
energy.
After this agreement, India needs to take two more
steps before the civil nuclear deal can become operational.
These are -- putting in place a civil nuclear liability law
and giving an assurance on non-proliferation.
The `Declaration` or `Assurances` is required by the US
government under the Code of Federal Regulations Part 810
(pronounced Part Eight Ten) to give licences to American
companies to work in India.
Under the regulation 810, the recipient country has to
undertake that it would not to explode a nuclear device,
unless exempted, and not use the material received for
military purposes.
PTI
