U.S.-India Agreement on Civil Nuclear Energy:
A Net Benefit For Nonproliferation
Remarks by
Ambassador Gregory L. Schulte
U.S. Permanent Representative to the
United Nations Office in Vienna
and the International Atomic Energy Agency
at Chatham House
London, U.K.
March 16, 2006
Iran and North Korea continue to threaten the world’s nonproliferation regime. But I can also report good news: The U.S. agreement with India on civil nuclear energy will strengthen that regime. The agreement strengthens the nonproliferation regime in two ways: by extending its reach to additional nuclear facilities, and by bringing into the mainstream a county that treats its international obligations seriously. Under the agreement, India has committed to:
-place the majority of its nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards, including all future civilian power and fast breeder reactors
-refrain from transfers of enrichment and reprocessing technologies
-ensure nuclear materials and technologies are secured and prevented from diversion, including passage of a law to create a national export control system
-sign the Additional Protocol, allowing more extensive
inspections by the IAEA;
-work to conclude a Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty
-adhere to Nuclear Supplier Group guidelines and the Missile Technology Control Regime
-continue its moratorium on nuclear testing.
Dr. ElBaradei, the IAEA’s Director General, has welcomed the agreement, calling it: “a milestone, timely for ongoing efforts to consolidate the nonproliferation regime, combat nuclear terrorism, and strengthen nuclear safety.”There are other important benefits, for India and the international community:
The agreement will benefit global energy security, by making safe nuclear energy available to India – a country of 1 billion people, with a burgeoning energy requirements.
The agreement will enhance global prosperity, by allowing India to develop and share in advanced technology for nuclear energy.
The agreement will benefit the environment because nuclear energy is cleaner than fossil fuel.
Some have charged that the agreement represents a “double standard” – rewarding India while we sanction Iran. I have a simple response: India is not Iran.Our agreement with India is unique because India is unique. India is a democracy with a civilian government that is transparent and accountable. India has a foreign policy that promotes peace and democracy. India is fighting terrorism and has a 30-year record responsible behavior on nonproliferation.
Iran is, in stark contrast: a state sponsor of terrorism, a serial violator of its nonproliferation obligations, an active opponent of Middle East peace, a source of instability in the region. There is simply no comparison.
There is no double standard, just a single standard: compliance with international commitments. India meets its commitments and has taken on more. Iran is a serial violator and a threat to the nonproliferation regime.
The agreement with India will provide net benefit to the nonproliferation regime. In the words of the Director General, it “serves the interests of both India and the international community.”