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Agreement with France on civilian nuclear technology transfer

Vaiju Naravane

But will it be signed during Sarkozy’s visit to India?

Paris: A nuclear negotiating team from India led by Mr. Baldev Raj, Director of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, has thrashed out an agreement on the transfer of civilian nuclear technology from France.

The agreement — similar to the one worked out with Russia but which remains unsigned because of political constraints on the Indian side — was finalised on Friday to mutual satisfaction, it is reliably learnt. However, it is doubtful whether the Manmohan Singh government will be in a position to sign the agreement during President Sarkozy’s visit to India which begins next week.

Privileged sources here indicate that Mr. Raj was assisted in the negotiations by R.B. Grover, Director, Strategic Planning Group; V. Paul from the Prime Minister’s Office; and Amanlal Singh, Director, Disarmament and International Security Affairs (DISA), a division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

France has insisted that in addition to the usual joint statement published at the end of Mr. Sarkozy’s visit, there should be two additional declarations, one on energy and the other on environment. Mr. Sarkozy’s talks with Dr. Singh and Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs will focus on civilian nuclear cooperation, defence contracts and deepening bilateral exchanges.

The two countries are likely to set up joint working groups for cooperation in the sectors of energy and environment.

French presidential spokesman David Martinon, in a special briefing to journalists on Saturday, said the visit would “bring new impetus and significant depth to relations between our two democracies.” He, however, declined to confirm whether Mr. Sarkozy’s girlfriend, ex-supermodel Carla Bruni, would be accompanying the President.

Although there is little by way of contracts that will be signed, India having cancelled the agreement to buy 197 Fennec helicopters valued at $600 million, both sides hope this visit will cement a political relationship which has been traditionally excellent and further strengthen economic ties.

Eager to sell

France is one of the top producers of nuclear energy in the world and its nuclear giant Areva has been chafing at the bit in its eagerness to sell civilian nuclear technology to India. This has not been possible because France too is bound by the rules of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

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