EU keeping close watch on IAEA

The EU is closely monitoring talks for India-specific safeguards with the International Atomic Energy Agency, reports Nilova Roy Chaudhury.

With all 27 European Union member countries being members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the EU is closely monitoring talks for India-specific safeguards with the International Atomic Energy Agency, before taking a decision on a waiver at the NSG for India to resume nuclear trade.

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According to the European Commission’s Ambassador in India, Daniele Smadja, the EU nations, which would decide on the matter individually and not as a group, were unlikely to pose a problem for India, even though the EU is committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. A senior western diplomat told HT on Monday: “There will be no problem with a waiver at the NSG if India can sort out its internal problems.”

Smadja said the EU has suspended aid to Pakistan and put on hold its decision to send poll observers to that country as it felt democratic polls cannot be held under emergency rule. “Elections cannot be held in Pakistan under an emergency,” Smadja told a press conference prior to the India-EU summit scheduled for Friday (November 30). She described the situation in Pakistan as “delicate” and “very complicated” and demanded restoration of democratic institutions in the country “as soon as possible”.