New Delhi
27 October 2010
India signed the convention on supplementary compensation for nuclear
damage in Vienna Wednesday, a move which comes which days ahead of US President
Barack Obama's visit here.
The signing took place at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA), the United Nations nuclear watchdog.
The US had sought the signing of the international treaty governing global civil nuclear
liability in order to pave the way for American companies to enter the Indian civil nuclear
energy market.
New Delhi hopes the signing of the convention will allay some of the concerns of the
American companies about the nuclear liability act passed by the Indian Parliament.
Neither the ministry of external affairs here nor the IAEA have issued an official
statement but a PTI report quoted IAEA press officials in Vienna as confirming that the
Indian government signed the Convention on Supplementary Compensation Wednesday.
Speaking to journalists here Wednesday, US ambassador to India Timothy Roemer said
India's signing of the CSC "recognises the benefits to India, to Indian suppliers, Indian
industry and to the Indian people. This helps affordable and clean electricity for the
people of India."
The convention sets out parameters of financial liability of an operator of a nuclear
reactor. It provides for compensation in case of transnational implications of a nuclear
accident and has been signed by 14 countries, including India. However, only four
countries -- the US, Argentina, Morocco and Romania -- have ratified it so far.
Upon entry into force, the convention will establish a uniform global legal regime for
compensation to victims in the event of a nuclear accident. It provides for establishment
of an international fund to increase the amount available to compensate victims and
allows for compensating civil damage occurring within a state's exclusive economic
zone, including loss of tourism or fisheries-related income.
Adopted on 12 September 1997, the convention was opened for signature at the IAEA's
41st general conference at Vienna that same month and is set to enter into force on the
90th day after date of ratification by at least five countries which have a minimum of 4
lakh units of installed nuclear capacity.
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