International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday. They discussed several critical issues during their meeting, and PM Modi reiterated India’s commitment to the safe and secure use of nuclear energy for peace and development. Grossi praised India for its responsible nuclear power practises and advances in nuclear science and technology, particularly in the development and deployment of indigenous nuclear power plants.
Had a fruitful discussion with Director General @rafaelmgrossi on enhancing enduring partnership between India and @iaeaorg. Explored avenues for expanding the role of nuclear energy to meet our net zero commitment, and extending nuclear technology applications in areas like… pic.twitter.com/x9kSJq6cXq
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 23, 2023
Grossi praised the IAEA-India partnership, highlighting India’s training and capacity-building programmes, which have benefited a variety of countries. Both PM Modi and Grossi agreed to look into opportunities for collaboration between India and the IAEA in extending civil nuclear technology applications to the Global South.
“I discussed all of these issues with Prime Minister Modi today, and some of these issues were highlighted. We were discussing current events, such as what is going on in the Middle East, non-proliferation there, and the situation in the Indo-Pacific,” Grossi said. “During the meeting with the PM, all of this was discussed, as well as how India and the IAEA will bring these issues to the forefront of the international agenda,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
#WATCH | On his meeting with PM Modi today, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency says, “India has very important nuclear electricity generation as a part of its 2047 vision of a decarbonised economy. India is also partnering with us on… pic.twitter.com/lpI3KWEcww
— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2023
Grossi said of his meeting with EAM S Jaishankar, “We have been looking into the ways in which we can multiply these partnerships.” We are working on convergent solutions as part of India’s external projection and the need we have. We also discussed current events, such as the Middle East and Ukraine.”
Good to see my friend DG @iaeaorg @rafaelmgrossi today. Congratulated him on his reappointment.
Discussed the developmental significance of nuclear energy. Also exchanged views on non-proliferation and international cooperation. India will always be a strong and reliable… pic.twitter.com/dMhqPyRVx7
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 23, 2023
Grossi stated, “In March 2024, a Nuclear Energy Summit will take place, and India must be at the highest place. India has an ambitious plan with a vision towards 2070 to decrease emissions. There are new technologies, such as small and microreactors, which are easier to deploy and faster to come into service, making them of great interest to many developing countries in South East Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.”
#WATCH | Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency says, “In March 2024, Nuclear Energy Summit will take place, and India must be there at the highest place….India has an ambitious plan – a vision towards 2070 to decrease… pic.twitter.com/gcbgf9Exjw
— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2023
Rafael Mariano Grossi’s visit also involved discussions on various international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. The meeting emphasised how India and the IAEA can work together to address these global concerns and place them at the top of the international agenda.
According to the IAEA’s official website, the IAEA is a centre for nuclear cooperation that seeks to promote the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies. Grossi took over as the sixth Director General of the IAEA on December 3, 2019. In September2023, the IAEA’s 67th General Conference approved his reappointment by acclamation to serve a second four-year term beginning December 3, 2023. Grossi is a diplomat with nearly four decades of experience in nonproliferation and disarmament.
According to the IAEA website, he was appointed Ambassador of Argentina to Austria and Argentine Representative to the IAEA and other Vienna-based international organisations in 2013.
Meanwhile, India has been a founding member of the IAEA since 1957. The country has served onthe IAEA’s Board of Governors since its inception.