India's Impactful Diplomacy Foils China's Bid Against AUKUS Nuclear Submarines Plan At IAEA: Sources

India’s considered role helped many smaller countries take a clear stand on the Chinese proposal against AUKUS nuclear submarines plan at IAEA, the government sources said.

By : Pranay Upadhayay | Updated at : 01 Oct 2022 11:37 AM (IST)

India's Impactful Diplomacy Foils China's Bid Against AUKUS Nuclear Submarines Plan At IAEA: Sources India's Impactful Diplomacy Foils China's Bid Against AUKUS Nuclear Submarines Plan At IAEA: Sources

Representative Photo: India took an objective view of the initiative, recognising the soundness of the technical evaluation by the IAEA

Source : Getty Images

New Delhi: China has withdrawn a draft resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against the AUKUS grouping seeking to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines following India's objective view on the issue, government sources said.

The General Conference of IAEA was held in Vienna from September 26-30, 2022.

The AUKUS (Australia, the UK, and the US) security partnership announced in September last that it would facilitate Australia in getting technology to build nuclear-powered submarines.

China tried to get a resolution passed against the AUKUS for seeking to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines (but armed with conventional weapons). China argued that this initiative was in violation of its responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It also criticised the role of the IAEA in this regard.

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According to government sources, India took an objective view of the initiative, recognising the soundness of the technical evaluation by the IAEA. The Indian Mission to the IAEA in Vienna worked closely with many member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency in this regard, the sources said.

According to them, India’s considered role helped many smaller countries take a clear stand on the Chinese proposal. Realizing that its resolution would not get majority support, China withdrew its draft resolution on September 30.

Interestingly, the Chinese were confident enough about the success on September 28 to get Global Times to issue an article on the subject.

"India’s deft and impactful diplomacy was deeply appreciated by IAEA member states, particularly the AUKUS partners," the government sources said.