November 2022 India Statement Agenda 6 Ukraine

India’s statement at the BoG Meeting November 2022

Agenda item 6- The safety, security, and safeguards implications of the situation in Ukraine

Mr. Chair,

We remain deeply concerned at the situation in Ukraine. India attaches high importance to ensuring the safety and security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine, as any accident involving nuclear facilities could potentially have severe consequences for public health and the environment. In this regard, we value the Agency’s work and have followed carefully regular updates from Director General, IAEA and his reports on ‘Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine’. We note the establishment of the Agency’s presence at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) site and its role in facilitating the monitoring and understanding of the situation and related nuclear safety and security issues at the site.

2.        We also appreciate the Agency’s efforts in discharging its safeguards and monitoring activities, in accordance with its statute in an effective, non-discriminatory and efficient manner, and welcome the Agency’s prompt response to the request of Ukraine to carry out verification activities at its nuclear locations. We note that the Agency’s findings were consistent with Ukraine’s safeguards declarations. 

3.        With a view to not endangering the safety and security of the nuclear facilities we reiterate our call on all parties to exercise utmost restraint.

4.        Since the beginning of the conflict, India has consistently called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an end to violence. We have urged both sides to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue.

5.        We will continue to follow Agency updates on the matter.

Thank you.