UN agency debates plan for Indian nuclear inspections

The United Nations atomic agency started a meeting that's likely to endorse a plan for inspections of India's nuclear plants, a crucial step toward implementation of a U.S.-India accord giving the southern Asian nation access to technology needed to meet its growing energy demands.

The plan, which would open up 14 civilian nuclear reactors to international inspection, . . .

The inspections agreement is the first hurdle for a U.S.- Indian nuclear cooperation treaty. The treaty must secure the backing of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a multinational anti- proliferation organization established in 1974 after the Indian government tested its first atomic bomb. The U.S. Congress then needs to ratify the accord.