The head of global nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told NDTV that India’s nuclear reactors are “absolutely safe” as it applies the highest level of safety standards in its civil nuclear programme.
In an interview on the sidelines of Davos 2025, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi was asked how safe India’s nuclear reactors are. ”Absolutely safe. “India applies the highest levels of internationally agreed nuclear safety standards and safety guidance established by the IAEA to its civil nuclear programme,” he replied.
On India’s fast-breeder nuclear reactor programme, the first of which is being developed at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, Grossi said, “It could be an interesting add-on to its fleet.”
India has voluntarily prohibited nuclear explosive testing since the Pokhran test in 1998. Asked whether New Delhi would have the right to test if China or Pakistan proceed with nuclear testing, Gross responded, “Our position and the position the international community believes we should have on nuclear testing.” General restrictions should be imposed, so we hope there will be no need for further testing, neither in the subcontinent nor elsewhere.”
On whether India should be a part of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, which currently has 48 member states, the IAEA chief said, “I have been the chairperson of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and I have been very actively involved in negotiations to try to bring it about.” of. This is for a just solution, which also includes other countries that had similar aspirations. Even my conversation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was extremely useful. We were very close to a good result at that time.”
He said, “Of course, there is a larger, broader political landscape that enters into that situation when it comes to that. It’s up to members to decide.”
On whether the India-US civil nuclear deal is ready to achieve its full potential as Washington DC is trying to negotiate an obligation clause that would enable it to build reactors in India, Grossi said it is India’s And America has to decide. What I can say is that the Indian civil nuclear program is the largest and most diverse in the world. “India has every (nuclear) technology and has mastered every technology very well,” he said. I believe that with the current expansion and interest in nuclear energy, we are in the best position to grow those levels of cooperation and trade.”
The IAEA chief also raised questions on the situation in Ukraine and said there were several occasions when the watchdog feared a nuclear accident. “Zaporizia is right in the middle, on the front line, extremely fragile. It has been the victim of shelling, and more often, blackouts. This means that loss of cooling function could lead to a nuclear accident. We are counting down to that day. When we have such situations, this is one of the biggest challenges facing the IAEA.”
On the situation in West Asia, Grossi said that although the nuclear watchdog has no evidence that Iran is making nuclear weapons, it has accumulated vast amounts of enriched uranium that is of weapons-grade grade. Very, very close”. He also said the IAEA has not received full cooperation from Tehran in conducting inspections and clarifying its questions.
