Washington, DC – The United States on Friday (January 5) welcomed the Modi government’s move to ratify the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) for Nuclear Damages as it cleared the way for more cooperation between the US and Indian governments.
Replying to a question from Tejinder Singh of India America Today at the daily press briefing, John Kirby, the State Department spokesman said, “The United States welcomes the action by India to join the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage, otherwise known as CSC.”
“Indian membership in the CSC marks another important step towards creating the global nuclear liability regime called for by the IAEA Nuclear Safety Action Plan,” said Kirby.
Commenting on the impact of the move, Kirby said, “We’ll also facilitate participation by companies from the United States in the construction of nuclear reactors in India, which will mean more reliable electricity for Indians, will reduce its reliance – India’s reliance on carbon-intensive sources, that will benefit the environment, and will offer India greater energy security for its large and growing economy.”
Further asked if it would help the implementation of the stagnant Indo-US civil nuclear deal, Kirby said, “We believe it’s an important step toward creating a global nuclear liability regime, and it will facilitate international cooperation in expanding the use of nuclear power in India”.
Earlier on Thursday, the Permanent Representative of India to the IAEA, Ambassador Rajiva Misra, delivered the instrument of ratification to Acting Director General Juan Carlos Lentijo, the Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security.
“On behalf of the IAEA Director General, I would like to congratulate India on joining this important convention,” said Lentijo.
Misra stated that joining the CSC was an important step for India. “We were eager to complete the process at the earliest, and today, with India joining the CSC, we are contributing to strengthening an international convention and global nuclear liability regime,” he said.