INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA)
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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was founded in 1957 in response to growing global concerns and hopes regarding the expansion of nuclear technology. Its establishment was inspired by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s landmark “Atoms for Peace” speech delivered to the United Nations General Assembly on December 8, 1953.
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In recognition of its significant contributions to global peace and safety, the IAEA and its Director General at the time, Mohamed ElBaradei, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. The award acknowledged their efforts to prevent the military use of nuclear energy while promoting its safe application for peaceful purposes.
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IAEA safeguards are rooted in binding international agreements, which countries voluntarily accept upon entering into treaties with the agency. These safeguards are crucial in ensuring states adhere to nuclear non-proliferation commitments through independent monitoring and verification.
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The IAEA categorizes its safeguards into three primary types, all of which can be supplemented by an Additional Protocol (AP):
(a) Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements, applicable to non-nuclear-weapon states under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT);
(b) Voluntary Offer Agreements, involving nuclear-weapon states that are parties to the NPT;
(c) Item-Specific Safeguards Agreements, which are applied to countries outside the NPT framework. -
In 2014, India officially ratified the Additional Protocol, enhancing the IAEA’s ability to monitor its civilian nuclear facilities. India, along with Pakistan and Israel, has signed item-specific safeguard agreements with the IAEA. These nations, although nuclear-capable, are not part of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
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The IAEA created the Incident and Emergency Centre in 2009 to manage international cooperation and provide assistance in the event of nuclear or radiological emergencies, irrespective of their origin or magnitude
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After India conducted its nuclear tests in 1974, the United States advocated for the creation of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a coalition of 48 countries that establishes and enforces common guidelines for the export of nuclear technology and materials. The primary objective of this group is to prevent nuclear proliferation, and decisions on membership require unanimous agreement.
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Since 2008, India has actively sought membership in the NSG. Gaining entry would allow India to participate in shaping the rules of global nuclear trade and eventually enable it to engage in the sale of nuclear equipment.
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The NSG operates in alignment with the broader global nuclear non-proliferation framework, which is centered around the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The NPT only recognizes countries that tested nuclear weapons before January 1, 1967, as nuclear-weapon states. As India conducted its tests later, it does not qualify under this definition and, like Pakistan and Israel, has not signed the treaty.
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Although nuclear energy was seen as a potential area for international collaboration, India's non-membership in the NPT meant it was excluded from access to nuclear technology. The signing of the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement helped break this deadlock.
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Under this agreement, India committed to separating its military and civilian nuclear facilities, placing the latter under the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). India also aligned its export control policies with those of the NSG and three other major non-proliferation regimes — the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement, and the Australia Group.
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In February 2025, both India and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to fully implement the US-India 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement. They also agreed to advance cooperation on the development of American-designed nuclear reactors in India, emphasizing large-scale domestic manufacturing and potential transfer of technology
- Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR): Formed in 1987, the MTCR is a voluntary association of countries committed to preventing the spread of missiles and related technologies capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction. It currently includes 35 member nations. India became a member in June 2016, while China remains outside the group.
- Australia Group: This is an informal coalition of countries working together to ensure that exports of chemical and biological materials do not aid in the development of weapons. By coordinating export control policies, the group seeks to prevent the misuse of these materials. India officially joined as the 43rd member on January 19, 2018.
- Wassenaar Arrangement (WA): Established in 1996, the Wassenaar Arrangement promotes openness and responsible behavior in the trade of conventional weapons and dual-use technologies to prevent excessive stockpiling and to keep such items out of the hands of terrorists. India became the 42nd member state of the WA in 2017
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For Prelims: Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Wassenaar Arrangement (WA)
For Mains: GS III -International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
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Previous Year Questions
1.In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA safeguards” while others are not? (2020) (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) 2.In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the ‘Additional Protocol’ with the ‘International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’? (UPSC CSE 2018) (a) The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards. (b) The military nuclear installations come under the inspection of IAEA. (c) The country will have the privilege to buy uranium from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). (d) The country automatically becomes a member of the NSG. Answer (a) |
