India Reluctant To Put Fast Breeder Program Under IAEA Scrutiny

[hatrack]

Progress on the Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear agreement hit a roadblock as New Delhi is not prepared to put its fast-breeder program under the international nuclear watchdog, Indian analysts said Monday. "The recent talks between India and the United States on civilian nuclear energy failed to yield a result because New Delhi took a position that it would not place its fast breeder under the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards," said senior analyst A.B. Mahapatra.

Mahapatra said the Indian department of atomic energy's argument failed to impress U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns during his talks with Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran. He said the department of atomic energy would have to reconsider its position or the July 18 nuclear agreement would be difficult to implement during U.S. President George W Bush's India visit in early March. Burns visited India last week and held detailed discussions with Saran on the civilian nuclear deal.

"The two sides discussed India's plan to separate its civilian and military nuclear facilities," said Indian Foreign Office spokesman Navtej Sarna. During the talks, the U.S. delegation was not impressed with the Indian nuclear separation plan, which foreign secretary Saran had presented to Burns in Washington last year.

An unidentified government source said the U.S. delegation wanted India to include its fast-breeder program under international safeguards. The Indian officials expressed their inability to do so, arguing the fast-breeder programs are in the research and development stage and could not be placed under any global safeguards.

EDIT

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Indo_US_Pact_Hits_Roadblock.html

[BigYawn]

1. Not in the least bit worried about India's nuclear ambitions...

India is the world's largest democracy. It has been a flawlessly stable democracy
since its creation in 1947. India is flourishing in technology and business. India
is surrounded by hostile neighbors. I see no reason why India should not
arm themselves for self defense.

[jpak]

2. Peaceful breeders breeding peaceful plutonium

for peaceful nuclear weapons.

Ain't peace grand?????