New Delhi, September 29: Global atomic watchdog IAEA Tuesday said Asia would see exponential growth in nuclear power sector and cautioned countries to adhere to safety mechanisms for ensuring non-proliferation of nuclear materials.
Every country has the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy but it has to ensure not only safety and security but also see to it that nuclear material is not diverted to other purposes, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mohammad ElBaradei said here.
Noting that India had called for elimination of nuclear weapons in 1988, he said “I trust India’s voice will continue to be heard.”
Addressing an international conference on ‘Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy’, he said India had successfully harnessed nuclear technology in fields of radiation, nuclear medicine and agriculture and was a role model for developing countries.
He said India’s cooperation with the IAEA was set to increase, particularly in the area of de-commissioning of nuclear reactors and their refurbishment.
ElBaradei cited ageing reactors, under-funding of plant operators and weak regulatory mechanisms as challenges to the growth of nuclear sector globally.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee released commemorative coins on Homi Bhabha, the architect of the country’s nuclear programme.
Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar said India was poised to play an important role in growth of the nuclear sector after its re-entry in global nuclear trade.
—Agencies