By Priya Menon, Foreign Affairs Correspondent
Published: June 24, 2025 | New Delhi & Vienna
Key Takeaways
- India’s Stance: Expressed “deep concern” over Iran’s non-compliance with IAEA safeguards and its rapid build-up of highly enriched uranium. mea.gov.in
- IAEA Resolution: The Board of Governors adopted Resolution GOV/2025/38, finding Iran in non-compliance and urging immediate cooperation. iaea.org
- Voting Pattern: 19 countries voted in favor, 3 against, and 11 including India abstained—reflecting New Delhi’s non-aligned yet cautionary approach. thestatesman.com
Background: The 1769th IAEA Board Session
On June 12, 2025, the IAEA’s Board of Governors convened in Vienna under Item 6(f) to address Iran’s NPT Safeguards Agreement obligations. The resulting resolution sharply criticized Tehran’s failure to account for nuclear material at undeclared sites and its unilateral suspension of transparency measures iaea.org.
What India Said
During the session, India’s Governor to the IAEA conveyed that New Delhi was “deeply concerned at the recent developments” involving undeclared nuclear material and the surge in uranium enrichment. He underscored that while India affirms the right to peaceful nuclear energy, it “urges Iran to fulfill its legal obligations” to ensure global trust and regional stability mea.gov.in.
Expert Analysis
“The IAEA resolution highlights a critical juncture. Iran’s opaque actions undermine the safeguards system, and India’s cautionary abstention signals its commitment to non-proliferation without politicizing energy access.”
— Dr. Mark Hibbs, Senior Fellow, Nuclear Policy Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Daily Digest: Ongoing Developments
- June 18: India launched “Operation Sindhu” to evacuate nationals from conflict zones in Iran.
- June 19: EU convened a special meeting to discuss IAEA findings; calls for renewed P5+1 talks intensify.
- June 21: Russia and China issued a joint statement cautioning against “undue pressure” on Tehran.
What Happens Next?
- IAEA Follow-Up Report: Director General Grossi will present further developments in the next Board session, expected early July.
- Diplomatic Channels: India and other abstaining states are quietly engaging Tehran bilaterally to press for cooperation ahead of UN Security Council deliberations.
Fact-Check
| Claim | Source |
|---|---|
| Iran did not declare nuclear material at three sites: Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, Turquzabad. | IAEA Board Report GOV/2025/25 iaea.org |
| India “deeply concerned” and monitoring attacks on nuclear sites in Iran. | MEA Statement, June 13, 2025 mea.gov.in |
| Voting tally: 19 in favor, 3 against, 11 abstentions (including India, Pakistan). | The Statesman, June 13, 2025 thestatesman.com |
Evergreen Explainer: Why Safeguards Matter
- Purpose: IAEA safeguards verify that civilian nuclear programmes are not diverted to weapons.
- Mechanism: Routine inspections, satellite imagery, and environmental sampling.
- What Went Wrong in Iran: Unannounced “sanitize and shift” operations at undeclared locations hindered verification.
About the Author
Priya Menon is a seasoned foreign affairs correspondent with over 15 years’ experience reporting on non-proliferation, South Asian diplomacy, and UN affairs. A graduate of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, she has been recognized with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award.
