First tranche of Canadian uranium for India’s nuclear reactors arrives after four decades
19 Dec, 2015, 0357 hrs IST, Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, ET Bureau
NEW DELHI: Four decades after civil nuclear cooperation was suspended following the test at Pokhran, the first consignment of uranium from Canada for India’s nuclear reactors has arrived this month following conclusion of commercial pact between the two sides during PM visit last April.
This is the first tranche of uranium for India as committed under five year contract and launch of implementation of civil nuclear deal, Canadian High Commissioner to India Nadir Patel told ET in an exclusive interaction days after the consignment arrived. Canada, following the contract, will supply 3,000 metric tonne of uranium to energy-hungry India beginning this year under a $254 million five-year deal to power Indian atomic reactors.
“This consignment is first tangible result of the deal and has set the stage for partnership across full spectrum of nuclear energy ecosystem,” Patel pointed out. A Canadian nuclear mission comprising nuclear firms and officials visited India in October and both sides have explored cooperation in pressurized heavy water reactors, training, capacity building and nuclear waste management, said the Canadian envoy.
“The civil nuclear cooperation is also in keeping with PM Modi’s commitment of promoting clean energy in India and Canada will be a reliable partner,” noted Patel. An Indo-Canadian government to government Joint Working Group is holding discussions on expanding civil nuclear cooperation including further deliberations on Nuclear Liability Law. “While the insurance fund created by the Indian government has addressed concerns over the Liability Law, discussions are being held for a greater sense of comfort,” according to the envoy. There has been no discussion yet on the allotting any site for setting up nuclear power plant by a Canadian firm but such a possibility is not ruled out.
India and Canada signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2010. This was followed by the signing of an administrative arrangement in 2012 followed by the commercial contract to supply uranium this year.
