IAEA nod to China, Pak pact for two new nuclear reactors

Mumbai (PTI) 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 on Tuesday.
"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.