The correct option is (a).
Explanation
The
Additional Protocol is a legal document granting the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) complementary inspection authority to that provided in underlying safeguards agreements. Its primary goal is to enable the IAEA to verify the peaceful use of nuclear materials and ensure that declared nuclear materials are not diverted for military purposes.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Option (a) is Correct: India ratified the Additional Protocol in 2014. This ratification implies that India's civilian nuclear reactors (those declared as civilian under the separation plan) come under the enhanced safeguards and verification regime of the IAEA. It allows the IAEA stricter oversight to ensure that nuclear material in these facilities is used solely for peaceful purposes.
- Option (b) is Incorrect: The India-specific Additional Protocol is distinct from the Model Additional Protocol applicable to non-nuclear-weapon states. It explicitly excludes military nuclear installations from IAEA inspections. India maintains a separation between civilian and military facilities.
- Option (c) is Incorrect: The privilege to buy uranium from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) was primarily facilitated by the NSG waiver granted to India in 2008. While the Additional Protocol builds confidence, the specific authorization for trade came from the waiver, not the ratification of this specific protocol.
- Option (d) is Incorrect: Ratifying the Additional Protocol does not grant automatic membership to the NSG. Membership requires a consensus decision by all existing NSG members, a process that is politically distinct from signing IAEA agreements.
Key Takeaway
The ratification of the
Additional Protocol by India operationalizes enhanced IAEA safeguards specifically for
civilian nuclear facilities, while strictly keeping military installations outside the purview of international inspections.