Question
Q85. In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA Safeguards” while others are not?
A. Some use uranium and others use thorium
B. Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies
C. Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises
D. Some are State-owned and others are privately-owned
Answer: B
Detailed Explanation
The nuclear reactors in India are placed under IAEA safeguards only if they are fueled by uranium procured from abroad.
• There are at present 22 operational reactors, of which 14 are under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards as these use imported fuel.
• India currently imports uranium from Russia, Kazakhstan and Canada.
• Plans are also afoot to procure the fuel from Uzbekistan and Australia.
• By placing the reactors under the IAEA safeguards, India gives the international nuclear energy watchdog
access to them.
• This step was taken by the country in 2014 to demonstrate that its nuclear energy programmed was for peaceful purposes.
• It was a necessary step under the Indo -US nuclear deal.
• Hence option (b) is the correct answer.
What Are Safeguards & What role they Play?
• Safeguards are activities by which the IAEA can verify that a State is living up to its international commitments not to use nuclear programmes for nuclear-weapons purposes. • The global Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and other treaties against the spread of nuclear weapons entrust the IAEA as the nuclear inspectorate.
• Today, the IAEA safeguards nuclear material and activities under agreements with more than 140 States.
• The IAEA’s safeguards system functions as a confidence-building measure.
Safeguards Agreements
• Comprehensive safeguards agreements with non-nuclear-weapon State parties to the NPT
• Voluntary offer safeguards agreements with the nuclear-weapon State parties to the NPT. • Item-specific safeguards agreements with non-NPT States.
