Beijing is expected to push its new-generation APC1000 nuclear reactors during talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi here. The two leaders are expected to discuss the possibility of a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Mr. Xi arriving in India on Wednesday.
The discussions, still at a very incipient stage, will find their way into the joint statement, say officials, although no outcomes are expected.
Replying to a question by The Hindu , External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, “It would be normal if, when, two countries with such huge energy requirements, with such huge interest in promoting nuclear energy, meet, there could be discussions on possible cooperation in this area.”
The proposal for civil nuclear cooperation was initiated by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during his visit to India in May 2013. Since then, sources say, Chinese officials have spoken about the possibility of supplying reactors to India with visiting delegations. But there has been little movement, given India’s opposition to China’s offer of two APC1000 reactors to Pakistan to be built near Karachi.
