Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Amid loose talks on the use of nuclear weapons, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has praised India as a responsible nuclear power.
This statement came after some uninformed people—including a section of the media—advocated the use of nuclear weapons to settle conflicts like those between Russia and Ukraine and now Hamas and Israel.
IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi who underscored India’s enduring commitment to the safe and secure use of atomic energy for peace and development.
Grossi, who called on PM Modi on Monday, commended the South Asian country’s impeccable record as a responsible nuclear power and praised its progress in nuclear science and technology, particularly highlighting the development and deployment of indigenous nuclear power plants, the PMO said.
In the meeting, PM Modi shared India’s ambitious goals to enhance the share of environmentally friendly nuclear power generation capacity as part of its energy mix.
Grossi, the statement said, acknowledged India’s global leadership role in civil nuclear applications for societal benefits. This includes the remarkable progress that India has made in utilizing nuclear technology to address the challenges faced by humankind including those related to health, food, water treatment, plastic pollution, and climate change, it added.
They also exchanged views on expanding the role of nuclear energy in meeting net zero commitments, including through small modular reactors and micro-reactors, it said.
Grossi conveyed his admiration for the outstanding partnership between the IAEA and India, praising it for its training and capacity-building programs that have helped many countries.
Both sides agreed to explore avenues of cooperation between India and the IAEA for extending civil nuclear technology applications in the Global South, the statement said.
Grossi also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
“Good to see my friend DG IAEA Rafael M Grossi today. Congratulated him on his reappointment.
“Discussed the developmental significance of nuclear energy. Also exchanged views on non-proliferation and international cooperation. India will always be a strong and reliable partner of IAEA,” Dr. Jaishankar posted on X (formerly Twitter).