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Manmohan Singh wants public to develop faith in nuclear safety |
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urged the international community to work hand in
hand to strengthen public trust and confidence about nuclear safety and security.
Addressing the Indira Gandhi International Peace prize presentation ceremony,
here on Wednesday Singh said: "The growth of nuclear energy must go hand in hand
with measures to reduce and eliminate risks of its misuse. We should work to strengthen
public trust and confidence in issues related to nuclear safety and security."
"The international community has a vital stake in strengthening global energy
security through the use of nuclear energy as a clean, safe and sustainable energy
source. So we should spare no effort in providing the necessary support to the
IAEA to perform its functions as provided in its Statute," Singh added. President
Pratibha Patil presented the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development
- 2008 to Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General, and International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA). Underling in the importance of peaceful use of Nuclear energy for
development Singh said: "Nuclear energy is vital to meeting our energy and developmental
needs, particularly those of large developing countries like India . The applications
of nuclear energy in agriculture, medicine and industry have also enormous potential."
"We need the concerted and collective efforts of the world community to promote
the peaceful uses of nuclear energy as widely as possible. Its benefits should
not remain confined to a privileged few," Singh added. Recalling India 's long-standing
relationship with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Singh said: "
We are committed to providing all the necessary support for the Agency to perform
its designated role and functions to facilitate the expansion of nuclear energy."
Singh informed that it is ElBaradei's vision, integrity and leadership with which
Agency has emerged stronger over the years and is now seen as an indispensable
international institution. "The role of the IAEA is bound to grow in the years
ahead not just in the traditional areas of nuclear energy and applications, but
also in helping nations secure themselves against other nuclear dangers, such
as those posed by terrorists gaining access to nuclear materials, Singh added.
In his speech Singh mentioned that India is now poised for a major expansion of
its nuclear programme in which international cooperation will be an important
component. "A major milestone in this process was the conclusion of India 's safeguards
agreement and its Additional Protocol with the IAEA. This gives India the possibility
of additionally accessing a whole range of technologies and resources from the
rest of the world. It also enables the global nuclear industry to benefit from
India 's technical and industrial expertise," Singh said Singh also appreciated
ElBaradei's role in generating the positive momentum in the ongoing international
debate on nuclear disarmament. |
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