In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the ‘Additional Protocol’ with the ‘International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’?
Explanation
The 'Additional Protocol' is a legal document that grants the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expanded rights of access to information and locations in a state to ensure that nuclear materials are used for peaceful purposes.
* Option A is correct: By ratifying the Additional Protocol, India committed to placing its civilian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. This allows the IAEA to verify that nuclear material in these specific facilities is not diverted for military use. * Option B is incorrect: India maintains a separation between its civilian and military nuclear programs. The Additional Protocol applies only to civilian facilities; military installations remain outside the scope of IAEA inspections. * Options C and D are incorrect: While the ratification of the Additional Protocol was a significant step in India's integration into the global nuclear order (following the Indo-US nuclear deal), it does not automatically grant membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) or provide an automatic privilege to buy uranium. Membership in the NSG requires a separate consensus-based admission process.
India signed the Additional Protocol in 2009, and it officially entered into force on July 25, 2014.