The global nuclear watchdog has approved the safeguards agreement between Pakistan and China for building two new nuclear power reactors at the existing facility at Chashma in Pakistan.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) unanimously approved the agreement at a meeting of its Board of Governors in Vienna yesterday.
“It is only a technical agreement between Pakistan and China. It was approved unanimously,” an IAEA official said.
India is a member of the 35-member IAEA Board of Governors.
The agreement enables Pakistan to procure nuclear reactors from China and the IAEA rules do not prohibit such transfers.
However, a nod from the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) would be necessary to enable such transfers. The 45-member NSG controls export or transfer of nuclear materials between countries to ensure they are used only for civilian nuclear energy programmes.
The IAEA official said the global nuclear watchdog had nothing to say on NSG clearances for the agreement.
