Mr. President,

India is happy to co-sponsor UNGA draft resolution No A/71/L.35 on the activities of the IAEA. We are happy to note that the IAEA is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year. It is · an important occasion to reflect upon the critical role the IAEA has played in discharging its mandate and supporting countries in their pursuit of nuclear power in safe and secure way and its technical cooperation activities, bringing nuclear applications to its Member States. We support the new motto of Atoms for Peace and Development as pronounced by Director General Mr. Yukiya Amano.

India has consistently emphasized that Nuclear power is an important option to meet the challenges of increased energy demand, concerns about climate change  and security of the energy supply. With an agreed international programme to combat climate change finalised at the COP-21 at Paris, the time is ripe for an even stronger role for the IAEA in the expansion of safe nuclear power. We appreciate the Agency publication Climate Change and Nuclear Power 2015, which describes how nuclear energy, is one of the low carbon energy sources available today, and can help meet this 'climate-energy challenge'. We encourage the Agency to remain engaged in the activities which present balanced picture of the nuclear power and its mitigation potential against greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr. President,

India attaches great importance to the Agency's work in different fields of nuclear science. We contribute to these activities through participation in the Technical Meetings and Coordinated Research Projects. Agency's program and achievements under nuclear applications in food and agriculture, human health and nutrition, water resources management, protection of the environment, and industry are most helpful in meeting the needs of developing countries.

Mr. President

We would also wish to compliment the Agency for successfully organizing the 2nd Nuclear Security Conference from December 5-9 this year in Vienna. India supports the central role of the IAEA in the area of Nuclear Security. The Ministerial Declaration of this Conference highlights the threats of nuclear terrorism and emerging threats to the nuclear security, including in the cyber domain and how technology can be used to mitigate these threats.

Mr. President

India remains committed to supporting the work of the IAEA.

Thank you, Mr. President