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Friday, Oct 31, 2008
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PM: our nuclear programme will remain unaffected

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said India’s initiative to open civil nuclear trade with the international community was a “step towards accelerating the development of nuclear energy in the service of our country.”

“This initiative will have far-reaching effects on the growth of nuclear energy in India and I can say that it is a period of transition in our programme.”

Speaking at a function held here to mark the birth centenary of Homi Jahangir Bhabha, Dr. Singh asserted that the civil nuclear initiative would not affect the integrity of India’s three-stage nuclear programme.

“The autonomy of our research and development activity, including development of our fast breeder reactors and the thorium programme, in the nuclear field will remain unaffected. There will be no interference in any scrutiny of our strategic programme.”

He said the country was now working towards formalising cooperation with willing partners including the U.S., Russia, France, the U.K., Canada and Kazakhstan.

“The government will provide its full support to the continuation of all indigenous programmes. As we develop and expand the nuclear power programme, I believe that we should redouble our efforts in promoting indigenous research and development and manufacturing capabilities and in the autonomous pursuit of the three-stage nuclear programme and the strategic programme.”

Hailing Dr. Bhabha as the source of inspiration for a generation of scientists and the builder of modern India, the Prime Minister was confident that the Homi Bhabha National Institute and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre would carry forward the great intellectual legacy and vision of Dr. Bhabha.

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