Sri Lanka, India nuclear agreement is a demonstration of mutual trust: Champika

Friday, 20 February 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

An agreement between Sri Lanka and India on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy was signed early this week in New Delhi by Minister of Power and Energy, Patali Champika Ranawaka, on behalf of Sri Lanka, and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy for India, Shri Ratan Kumar Sinha The bilateral agreement on civil nuclear cooperation signed by Sri Lanka and India during Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’ s visit to New Delhi is yet another demonstration of the mutual trust between the two countries, a Government minister said. Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka said the nuclear agreement opens new avenues for cooperation, including in areas like agriculture and healthcare. The agreement between Sri Lanka and India on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy was signed by Minister Ranawaka during President Sirisena’s first overseas visit earlier this week. The agreement is Sri Lanka’s first nuclear partnership with any country. The agreement will facilitate cooperation in the transfer and exchange of knowledge and expertise, sharing of resources, capacity-building and training of personnel in peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including the use of radioisotopes, nuclear safety, radiation safety, nuclear security, radioactive waste management and nuclear and radiological disaster mitigation and environmental protection. Addressing the weekly Cabinet briefing on Thursday, Minister Ranawaka emphasised that the agreement was a good sign for healthy ties between the two countries, especially given India’s growing fear of China’s proximity to Sri Lanka, which is perceived as a security threat for New Delhi. According to the nuclear deal, which is seen as an attempt by India to ward off growing Chinese influence in the region, India will assist Sri Lanka in developing its civil nuclear energy infrastructure. It will also facilitate cooperation in radioactive waste management and nuclear and radiological disaster mitigation and environmental protection. However, the Minister stressed that management of radioactive waste does not authorise India to unload radioactive waste produced in Indian Nuclear Power Plants in Sri Lankan territory. It is ensured that all activities implemented in terms of this agreement are protected in compliance with the standards and guidelines set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from time to time and the 1980 Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material as applicable and both parties maintain respective Safeguards Agreements with the IAEA, he said. The United States Tuesday welcomed the signing of a civil nuclear cooperation agreement saying it was consistent with IAEA safeguards and other international standards and practices. “We welcome regional cooperation on nuclear energy that is consistent with IAEA safeguards and other international standards and practices,” State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said.