The Hindu : National : No prohibition on nuclear test, says Kakodkar

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Saturday, Aug 18, 2007
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No prohibition on nuclear test, says Kakodkar

Staff Reporter

“123 agreement does not undermine country’s sovereignty”

Provision for strategic stockpile to last lifetime of reactors
“There will be no hindrance from outside to domestic activities”

BANGALORE: There is no prohibition on conducting a nuclear test in the 123 agreement inked between India and the United States, Anil Kakodkar, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy said here on Friday.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the new premises of the Centre for Applicable Mathematics of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).

Allaying fears that India’s sovereignty might be undermined with the nuclear deal, Dr. Kakodkar said: “Everything (about the deal) has been worked out in great detail, especially regarding the nuclear test. In the text there is a no-hindrance clause, which states that there will be no hindrance to the activities of both the countries outside the co-operation… There will also be no hindrance from outside to domestic activities.” Stating that India’s nuclear-related activities would not be affected if the deal was ever terminated, he said: “In order to make sure that the cessation and termination does not create difficulties with running the nuclear programme, a series of steps have been defined…It has to go through a process and cannot be abrupt.”

The agreement provided for the creation of a strategic stockpile to last the lifetime of the reactor. The fuel could come from the United States or other sources, thereby ensuring continuity of supply.

Three requirements

He said the agreement met the three requirements for a successful deal: the continuation of India’s research and development; the continuation and enlargement of the three-stage nuclear power programme; and the conduct of India’s autonomous strategic programme. “We have our own domestic nuclear policies which we have announced, which remains unchanged and in place.”

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