By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : Notwithstanding attempts by Pakistan to scuttle India’s case at IAEA, Government expressed confidence that the safeguards agreement would be cleared at the first meeting of the UN Atomic watchdog’s Board of Governors on August one and there would be no need to discuss it further at that forum.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee also seemed to be not too concerned about the September timeline set by the US.
“We are expecting it to be cleared in the first meeting of the IAEA on August one,” Mukherjee told CNN-IBN’s ‘Devil’s Advocate’ programme on Saturday.
On whether he expects opposition from countries like Pakistan at the IAEA, Mukherjee said, “I am quite confident that in the Board of Directors of the IAEA, India-specific agreements of which the text is available will get the approval”.
“So far as the smooth process is concerned, whether some countries move amendments, whether some countries express some views … I am concerned with the outcome. I am quite confident that the India-specific safeguards agreement text will be agreed by the negotiators and would receive approval of Board of Governors,” Mukherjee added.
Pakistan, which is a member of the Board, has raised various questions over the initiative, particularly the hurry with which it is being pursued.