India to ratify additional protocol for scrutiny with IAEA

New Delhi, June 23 (IANS) India Monday said it has decided to ratify an additional protocol agreement with the IAEA, which will enhance transparency of its nuclear infrastructure and pave way for larger imports of nuclear technology for civilian uses such as power generation.

"The government has decided to ratify the additional protocol to the India specific safeguards agreement. We had signed this earlier. What we have now decided is to take the next step which is of ratification. This is a signal of our commitment to abide by our international obligations," said external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

The move by the new Narendra Modi government appears aimed at enhancing energy security for the country and could lead to enhanced civilian nuclear trade with countries like the US and Japan.

Sources said the additional protocol will cover facilities which are monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).