Pelindaba Treaty
India is planning to ask African
countries to relax commitment to the Pelindaba Treaty which controls supply of
uranium from key mineral hubs of Africa to the rest of the world. As part of
this, President Pranab Mukherjee would begin the process by trying to convince
Namibia in his upcoming trip, to implement a bilateral treaty with India and
supply uranium to Indian nuclear energy projects.
Background:
India and Namibia signed two MoUs on Cooperation in
the field of geology and mineral resources and Cooperation in peaceful uses of
nuclear energy during the visit of President Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba to India
in 2009. However, the Pelindaba Treaty has prevented it from ratifying the
agreements. Namibia is the fourth largest producer of uranium.
About Pelindaba treaty:
·
The Pelindaba Treaty signed in 1996, also known as the
African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty, aims at preventing nuclear
proliferation and preventing strategic minerals of Africa from being exported
freely. The treaty was signed in 1996 and came into effect with the 28th
ratification on 15 July 2009.
·
The Treaty prohibits the research, development,
manufacture, stockpiling, acquisition, testing, possession, control or
stationing of nuclear explosive devices in the territory of parties to the
Treaty and the dumping of radioactive wastes in the African zone by Treaty
parties.
·
The Treaty also prohibits any attack against nuclear
installations in the zone by Treaty parties and requires them to maintain the
highest standards of physical protection of nuclear material, facilities and
equipment, which are to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes.
·
It also requires all parties to apply full-scope
International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards to all their peaceful nuclear
activities.
It
covers the entire African continent along with few islands. Presently, the
treaty has been ratified by 40 countries
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