NEW DELHI, March 31: India said on Thursday that it had decided to ratify the Convention on Nuclear Safety as it submitted acceptance of its provisions to the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency at Vienna. “Fully conscious of the responsibilities arising from the possession of advanced and comprehensive capabilities in the entire gamut of nuclear fuel cycle operations, India attaches great importance to the issue of nuclear safety,” a statement said.

“India shares the objective of the convention of maintaining a high level of nuclear safety worldwide through the enhancement of national measures and international cooperation, including in safety-related technical cooperation,” it said. The statement said India hoped to make peaceful use of nuclear energy to meet the demand of growing economy.

“Nuclear power, as a safe and secure energy source, is an indispensable component for meeting the development needs of a large and growing economy like India,” it added.