Mumbai: The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) today (Oct 29, 2004) said India has been taking active part in policy management and programmes of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as a designated member of the Board of Governors since IAEA's inception. "India continued taking active part in policy management and programmes of the IAEA since its inception as a designated member of the Board of Governors," AEC chairman Dr Anil Kakodkar said in Mumbai while addressing the staff of Department of Atomic Energy on the occasion of 92nd birth anniversary of its founder Dr Homi Bhabha.

"India continued to offer training facilities, fellowships, scientific visits to foreign scientists and provide services of its scientists for expert assignments to other countries both through IAEA and to countries with which we have entered into bilateral agreements for cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy," he said.

IAEA director general Dr Mohammed ElBaradei would come to Mumbai to inaugurate the annual conference of Indian Nuclear Society on November 15, Kakodkar said.

The DAE is also awaiting the visit of European Commission's team for discussions in connection with India's participation in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactors (ITER) programme as Institute of Plasma Research in Ahmedabad has developed one of the first super conducting Steady State Tokamaks (Fusion reactor) (SST-1), he said.

"SST-1 with an elongated diverter plasmas with 1000 second operation capability is getting ready," he announced.