India reassures world leaders about security, safety of its nuke programme at Seoul summit

Seoul, Mar.27 (ANI): India, which has been a strong votary and supporter of the nuclear security summit (NSS), and has hosted a meeting of Sherpas in Januaryhis year, has reassured summit participants about the safety and security of its nuclear installations.

India submitted a national progress report to the NSS, in which it has emphasised the various nuances of the safety measures it has adopted for its nuclear programme.

India mentions in the report that it is party to all 13 universal instruments accepted as benchmarks for a state's commitment to combat international terrorism, and follows convention on physical protection of nuclear material. India is also party to the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.

India also states in its national progress report that it has consistently supported the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) central role in facilitating national efforts to strengthen nuclear security and in fostering effective international cooperation.

India has offered assistance through the IAEA to search for and recover orphan radioactive sources in countries which are unable to effectively deal with them, and has sought such assistance."

According to the report, India also cooperates with Interpol's radiological and nuclear terrorism prevention unit and the World Customs Organisation.

The report also mentions New Delhi's efforts to establish an independent nuclear safety regulatory authority. It says that the government has introduced a bill in this regard in parliament.

The report also focuses on India's effort to reduce nuclear material by minimising the use of high enriched uranium.

"We have recently developed an advance heavy water reactor based on low enriched uranium and thorium, with new safety and proliferation resistant features," the report reveals.

India, in the national progress report, also highlights the impetus it is giving to developing a Global Centre for Nuclear Partnership (GCNEP).

"We visualise this to be a state-of-the-art-facility based on international participation from the IAEA and other interested foreign partners," the report says.

It says that the GCNEP will consist of four schools dealing with advanced nuclear energy system studies, nuclear security, radiation safety and the application of radioisotopes and radiation technology in the areas of healthcare ,agriculture and food," the report adds.(ANI)