Context:
IAEA reports Iran expands nuclear capacities and faces criticism.
About IAEA:
- The world’s central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field.
- Objective: works for the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.
- Created in 1957 in response to the deep fears and expectations generated by the discoveries and diverse uses of nuclear technology – particularly amid escalating tensions between the leading nuclear powers, the United States and the Soviet Union.
- Genesis – U.S. President Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace” address to the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1953.
- Headquarters – Vienna, Austria
- In 2005, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to IAEA and its Director General, Mohamed ElBaradei, in recognition of their efforts toward creating a safer and more peaceful world.
- In accordance with its ‘Atoms for Peace and Development’ mandate, the IAEA assists countries in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
- Aim: to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to foster the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of disarmament.
- Adoption: 1968
- Entry into force: 1970
- In 1995, the Treaty was extended indefinitely
- Members – 191 States parties
- Commitments Under the NPT:
- non-nuclear-weapon States parties have committed themselves not to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices
- nuclear-weapon States parties have committed not to in any way assist, encourage or induce any non-nuclear-weapon State party to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.
- Nuclear-weapon States parties under the Treaty are defined as those that manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device before 1 January 1967.
- 5 nuclear-weapon States parties to the Treaty –
- IAEA is not a party to the NPT.
- IAEA is entrusted with key verification responsibilities under the Treaty. Each non-nuclear-weapon State party is required to conclude a comprehensive safeguards agreement (CSA) with the IAEA to enable the IAEA to verify the fulfilment of their obligation under the Treaty
Source: The Hindu
Previous year question
In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA safeguards” while others are not? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) Some use uranium and others use thorium
(b) Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies
(c) Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises
(d) Some are State-owned and others are privately-owned
Answer: (b)
