India was about to take a key step towards implementing its nuclear trade deal with the United States on Friday, as the UN nuclear watchdog's board met to decide on an inspection protocol with the Asian nation, reported the DPA. Diplomats said ahead of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting they did not expect any of the 35 board members to block the inspection agreement, even though some are concerned about possible loopholes that might allow India to cease inspections. The so-called Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA is a precondition before US legislators can ratify the 2005 US-India nuclear deal which gives India access to civilian nuclear fuel and technology from abroad. The inspection agreement will enable the IAEA to monitor India's nuclear power sector, which has to be separated from the nuclear weapons programme under the bilateral deal. India's regional rival Pakistan indicated it would not oppose the agreement, diplomats said. Some countries on the IAEA Board of Governors remain concerned about the US-India deal, as it will give a nuclear weapons state access to nuclear technology, even though it has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Countries that will agree to the IAEA safeguards agreement are expected to raise their concerns more vocally in the Nuclear Suppliers Group of nuclear exporting countries, who will have to change their regulations before the US Congress can approve the US-India deal.
