September 2022 66th GC IAEA India Statement AUKUS

Statement by India

(66th IAEA GC September 2022)

Transfer of the nuclear materials in the context of AUKUS and its safeguards in all aspects under the NPT (Item 24)

Mr President,

We have taken careful note of the views expressed by the distinguished delegates on this issue over the past week and this morning.

In this regard, we have taken note of the report by the Director General presented shortly before the September Board meeting on Agency Safeguards in relation to AUKUS. It states that the three parties seek ‘an optimal pathway to deliver a conventionally-armed, nuclear powered submarine capability to Australia’.

We appreciate in this regard, the stated commitment of the parties ‘to ensuring that the highest non-proliferation and safeguards standards were met’.

We also note that the engagements so far between the Agency and the AUKUS parties to discuss possible implications on implementation of Agency safeguards have been satisfactory and that these technical consultations will continue for the foreseeable future.

We recognize that the Agency is well within its mandate to undertake such consultations with the parties involved. Similarly, Member States also have the right to engage with the IAEA on matters pertinent to their safeguards agreements and arrangements. 

We have also taken note that the Agency has recognized that AUKUS is at an early stage and the precise development is yet to be decided by the parties.

We feel it prudent to await further details on the matter as it develops among the relevant parties and accordingly, we welcome the withdrawal of the draft resolution.

I thank you Mr President