In the ongoing UNSC meeting, India said it is concerned about Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). India reiterated that any accident involving nuclear facilities could be potentially disastrous. Ruchira Kamboj, India’s permanent representative to the UN, stated that India carefully watches developments about the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities. India needs to ensure the safety and security of these facilities. The ambassador further said that India also accords high priority to the safeguards and monitoring activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

This concern comes from the recent escalation in shelling in and around Europe’s largest nuclear facility. Russia requested the UNSC meeting. While Russian forces have occupied the plant since March, Ukrainian personnel continue to carry out on-site operations.

Kamboj said that India would continue to reiterate that the global order is anchored on the UN Charter, international laws, and respect for states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. United Nations political affairs Chief Rosemary DiCarlo said that an agreement is urgently required to reestablish the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine as an entirely civilian infrastructure and prevent a potentially “catastrophic” disaster.

The United Nations has called respective parties to provide the IAEA with secure, immediate and unfettered access to the nuclear plant. Rafael Mariano Grossi, IAEA chief, on Tuesday renewed his request to send a mission to carry out essential security, safety and safeguard activities at the site.