• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

No correlation between Indo-US deal and Indo-Russia N-cooperation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, March 7, IRNA
India-Nuke-Russia
India said on Wednesday that its civil nuclear agreement with the US is independent of the cooperation with Russia, which will help in building four more atomic plants in Tamil Nadu and some other places.

Replying to questions in the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said, however, that continued supply of fuel to such reactors would depend on Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) guidelines and efforts are being made to get these amended for this purpose, PTI reported here.

"There is no correlation between the 123 agreement (which will operationalize Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation) and our program with Russia in respect of civil nuclear cooperation," he said.

The minister, while apprising the House about the outcome of the recent visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin here, noted that two nuclear power plants have already been built by Moscow in India.

There is a proposal for setting up four more nuclear power plants in Kudankulam with Russian support and others at places which have not been identified as yet, he said.

Mukherjee pointed out that India's collaboration with Russia in civil nuclear field had started before the Indo-US deal and it was a 'continuing and long-term' one.

Underlining that no conditions were attached to the setting up of the nuclear power plants by Russia, Mukherjee said that these will, however, require continued supply of fuel which will depend on NSG guidelines.

Russia is part of the 45-nation grouping and efforts are being made to amend the NSG guidelines to ensure 'we can have supply of fuel', the minister said.

To a question, he said the use of thorium as fuel was part of the three-stage nuclear program but development of the technology for its commercial use will take time.

India and Russia also propose to collaborate on joint launch of satellites.

The two countries have also decided to participate in Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) under which India can use radio frequency data.

On difficulties being witnessed by Indian businessmen and some other sections in getting Russian visas, Mukherjee said he was aware of the problems and the two countries are discussing the matter to resolve it.

2160/2322/1412