The Hindu : Front Page : Wide range of cooperation in nuclear technology transfer envisaged: France

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 01, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Wide range of cooperation in nuclear technology transfer envisaged: France

Vaiju Naravane

It is important for India to have access to clean energy: presidential spokesperson

PARIS: India and France on Tuesday signed a framework agreement for civil nuclear cooperation. A French presidential spokesperson described the document as a “broad agreement, one that will allow for a wide range of cooperation in the civilian nuclear field including the transfer of technology.” This could range from supply of fuel and reprocessing to supply of reactors.

No race with U.S.

Asked if this signature, which comes before a similar agreement has been signed with the United States, represented a “coup” for France, the spokesperson said it would be wrong to draw such an interpretation as Paris and Washington had worked very closely together to make this happen. “There is no race between the two countries. We have similar objectives and have worked together. Now the two processes [Washington and Paris] must follow their course.”

Denying that there had been a last-minute hesitation in announcing the signature of the agreement, the spokesperson said France had begun taking steps in this direction as early as 10 years ago. Given India’s demographics, the rate of growth of the economy and its energy needs and the problems due to global warming, it was important for India to have access to clean energy, the spokesperson indicated. Despite India’s nuclear tests of 1998 France had been working towards this goal for the past decade.

The spokesperson confirmed that this agreement now left the field open for companies such as Areva to sign memoranda of understanding with the Indian government. The French nuclear giant has indicated that it will shortly sign an MoU for two EPER-type reactors.

Asked what exactly France planned to supply India, the spokesperson said that would depend on specific needs which would be assessed. Then there was the question what type of cycle India would choose and only then would the question of the appropriate partner be considered. “We have a certain expertise in the field and we have been following this question for a long time and it is evident therefore that there are perspectives for cooperation.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page