Monday, February 20 2006 15:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Feb 20,2006) said all civilian nuclear facilities procured through international agreements would be subject to safeguardsprescribed by the International Atomic Energy Authority.

"I confirm that all facilities procured by India through international cooperation on civilian nuclear energy will of course be subjected to that (IAEA safeguards)," Singh said, addressing a joint press conference with French President Jacques Chirac.

He said India was committed to honour the Indo-US jointstatement of nuclear cooperation in letter and spirit.

The Prime Minister said India was grateful to France for its support in the field of civilian nuclear cooperation.

Chirac said France was supportive of India in the field of cooperation on use of civilian nuclear energy.

He said France fully understands India's development needs and believes that it should be able to produce energy to meet its requirements.