Ireland, Switzerland, Austria strong on non-proliferation
NEW DELHI: Only three countries are not supportive of India in the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is to ratify the safety protocol signed by the nuclear watchdog with New Delhi.
Ireland, Switzerland and Austria are strong on non proliferation and are members of both the IAEA board and the Nuclear Suppliers Group, where the US will be pushing for a “clean exemption” for India, as David Mulford, US ambassador to India said earlier this week.
India had sent Shyam Saran, special envoy for the nuclear deal at the PMO to Ireland to explain New Delhi’s position. He returned on Friday, and said that there is a tremendous goodwill for India, and that the government is positive. Does that indicate a shift in Ireland’s position? Hard to say. The proof will come only at the IAEA board. Ireland is a votary of a strict NSG regime which controls worldwide nuclear trade.
Pakistan, a member of the board of governors, but not the NSG, has already shown its hand by writing to both the IAEA and NSG members against special status to India. If the more important players like Ireland, Switzerland and Austria support Pakistan’s move and call for a vote, the going at the NSG may be tougher than expected.
China is keeping its options open through the general view is that it will not play the spoilers game unless the mood in the NSG is anti-India. Both Washington and New Delhi are pushing for a quick simple nod from the board on August 1. The danger is a division in the board will encourage the non proliferation lobby at the NSG. As the NSG works through consensus, the waiver may take much longer than expected.
