March 7th 2022 India Statement Agenda 2 Nucl safety review
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INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY
BOARD OF GOVERNORS’ MEETINGS
(March 07, 2022)
Agenda Item 3: Nuclear Safety Review 2022
Statement By India
Mr. Chairperson,
My delegation would like to thank the Director General for his introductory remarks as well as for providing an overview of the global trends and activities in 2021 and the priorities for 2022 and beyond for strengthening nuclear, radiation, transport and waste safety and emergency preparedness and response.
We associate ourselves with the statement delivered by the distinguished Ambassador of Morocco on behalf of G-77 and China.
My delegation will take up the important subject of safety and security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine under the Agenda Item devoted to it.
Mr. Chairperson,
As the responsibility for nuclear safety within a State rests with that Member State,
continuous efforts at national level in enhancing safety in all areas of peaceful uses of nuclear
and radiation technology is of paramount importance. We also recognize the central role of
the IAEA in establishing global standards for nuclear safety. India is committed to
implementing the IAEA’s safety standards. India’s own initiatives have been in line with the
IAEA’s plans and have strong international linkages. We take note of the Agency’s report “The
IAEA and the COVID-19 Pandemic- Progress Update III” and appreciate the continued efforts
to assist the member states effectively through routine as well as innovative ways.
The international community continues to learn lessons from the Fukushima accident.
India notes with appreciation the cooperation of Japan with the Agency, the formation of task
force by IAEA towards assessment of Japan’s plan to discharge ALPS treated water in
accordance with the Agency’s safety standards. We acknowledge that the revision of Safety
Requirements to include lessons from the Fukushima Daiichi accident has been completed.
However, we feel that this is not enough, as the challenge remains in the proper
implementation of these requirements in various stages of nuclear power plant siting, design,
construction, commissioning and operation. We encourage the Agency to review and revise
the relevant safety documents and assist the member states to implement the new
requirements identified in the document. The Agency should also organize events such as
technical meetings, workshops and training to publicize these documents. India will continue
to participate in the international initiatives in this regard.
India considers the role of nuclear power as vital for long term energy security and
sustainable development of the country and remains committed to implementing the highest
level of safety at its nuclear facilities. India has a robust nuclear safety culture and impeccable
safety record. Last year, Narora Atomic Power Station has set a fresh record of 852 days of
continuous operation. This is 37th occasion that one of our reactors has operated continuouslyfor more than a year. Nuclear safety issues are monitored under stringent guidelines set upby the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. We have been regularly reporting the progress in theNational Reports to the Review Meetings of the Contracting Parties of the Convention onNuclear Safety (CNS) and we take note of the proceedings of the joint eight and ninth review meeting of the CNS in October 2021.
Mr. Chairperson,
India is a signatory to the “Convention on Assistance in the case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency”, which sets out an international framework for cooperation among states parties and the IAEA to facilitate prompt assistance and support in the event of nuclear accidents or radiological emergencies. India has been actively playing the role of an assistance offering country and would continue to assist by way of providing technical experts for responding to any emergency situation, as and when specific requests are received from the IAEA. India is a member of the IAEA Response and Assistance Network (RANET), showing a strong commitment to strengthen the international framework for nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response.
Mr. Chairperson,
The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) Mission relating to the review of
Nuclear power plants in India was conducted by the Agency in 2015. While this provided an
opportunity to improve the regulatory effectiveness and sharing of international experiences
relating to Nuclear Power plants, India has requested the Agency to conduct the follow up
mission. The follow-up mission has an extended scope of including Radiation source facilities
and activities apart from the review of Nuclear Power Plants. We are hopeful that the
extended follow up mission would serve further to reinforce the safety of Nuclear Power
Plants and Radiation Source facilities and activities in India, while enhancing the capabilities
of the regulator. We thank the IAEA for agreeing to our request for conducting this mission.
With these comments, Mr Chairperson, we take note of the Nuclear Safety Review - 2022, as contained in the document GOV/2022/3. I thank you for your attention.
