India should take advantage of positive N-environment: Sood

India should not take the "changed international atmosphere" in the nuclear field for granted and should take advantage of the positive environment for its gains like getting the membership of NSG, former PM's special envoy for disarmament and non-proliferation Rakesh Sood said today.
He said India should show a greater degree of receptivity and do away with the culture of secrecy in the nuclear energy sector by displaying its robust safety standards to the world.
"Things changed after the NSG gave its waiver to India in 2008. We cannot take positive international environment for granted. We have to strengthen our environment, which requires a greater degree of receptivity, introduce other best practises and so on," he said at the launch of the report "Nuclear Security in India".

Noting that the nuclear establishment has worked with secrecy "for understandable reason", Sood said there has been a gradual opening up of the sector after India signed atomic agreement with the US in 2009 as additional number of reactors were put under IAEA safeguards voluntarily.
"But I think we need a little more than this, so that there is greater degree of receptivity and exchange, so that the culture of secrecy can be gotten away with," said Sood, a retired IFS officer who has served as Ambassador to a number of countries.
He said India should instead consolidate on the changed environment and take advantage of it.

"Now that the new government is there with full majority, India should take advantage of the changed environment and consolidate its gains for various purpose like (seeking the membership of) the Nuclear Supplier's Group," Sood said.
He added that it was important to show case India's robust nuclear safety measures to the world, which can help reflect its safety track record and as also a responsible nuclear player.