International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director
General Rafael Mariano Grossi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and commended
Bharat’s impeccable record as a responsible nuclear power.
Grossi praised the nation’s progress in nuclear
science and technology, mainly highlighting the development and deployment of
indigenous Nuclear Power Plants.
During the meeting, PM Modi reiterated Bharat’s enduring
commitment to safe and secure use of atomic energy for peace and development.
He shared Bharat’s ambitious goals to strengthen the contribution of
environmentally-friendly nuclear power generation capacity in the country’s
energy mix.
Grossi acknowledged Bharat’s global leadership role in
civil nuclear applications for societal benefits. This includes the remarkable
progress that Bharat has made in utilising nuclear technology in addressing
challenges faced by humankind, including those related to health, food, water
treatment, plastic pollution and climate change.
Views were exchanged on spreading the role of nuclear
energy in meeting net zero commitments, including through Small Modular
Reactors and Micro-Reactors.
The IAEA director general conveyed his admiration for
the outstanding partnership between IAEA and Bharat. He commended Bharat for
its training and capacity-building programmes that have helped many countries.
Both sides agreed to explore avenues of cooperation
between India and IAEA for extending civil nuclear technology applications in
the Global South.
NE Watch Desk
