August 1, 2008

I am delighted to hear that the IAEA Board of Governors has decided today by consensus to approve the India Specific Safeguards Agreement. This is an important day for India, and for our civil nuclear initiative for the resumption of India’s cooperation with our friends abroad.

The civil nuclear initiative is good for India and good for the world. As we move forward towards our goal of sustainable development and energy security, the peaceful uses of atomic energy will play an increasingly important role.

I am grateful to the members of the IAEA Board of Governors, to our partners and friends abroad, and in particular, to the USA, for making this important step in the IAEA possible.

The DG of the IAEA, Dr. El Baradei, has played a significant role and we look forward to working with him and his Agency in implementing this agreement.

I am deeply appreciative of the historic significance of this milestone in our cooperation with the IAEA and the international community in peaceful uses of atomic energy.