Britain to press for new IAEA system on N-energy

As India lobbies hard to secure international support for permitting nuclear commerce, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Monday said his country would press for an early agreement to a new International Atomic Energy Agency-led international system to help non-nuclear states acquire new sources of energy.

However, putting a rider, he said this offer must be made only in return for firm commitments to the highest non-proliferation standards.

Brown did not name India as he said "around the world, we are already seeing significant new interest in nuclear power as a source of energy supply and this increased interest brings with it increased risks of proliferation."

"So Britain will press for early agreement to a new IAEA-led international system to help non-nuclear states acquire the new sources of energy they need, including through an enrichment bond," he said.

India has to firm up a safeguards agreement with the IAEA and secure changes in the guidelines of the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group for implementation of the Indo-US nuclear deal and clearing the way for nuclear commerce.