India and France signed nuclear deal
ISN SECURITY WATCH (Monday, 20 February: 14.15 CET) – India and France signed on Monday a nuclear energy cooperation declaration for peaceful development, news agencies reported.
In a joint statement, the two sides agreed to “strike a bilateral cooperation agreement on the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, subject to their respective international commitments and obligations”.
The agreement was singed during the three-day visit to India of French President Jacques Chirac.
“India’s access to civilian-nuclear technology […] is indeed necessary in order to drive and fuel India's economic development,” news agencies quoted Chirac as saying.
France is committed to ending the international ban on nuclear-technology exports to India.
In July last year, the administration of US President George W. Bush signed an accord allowing India to develop nuclear technology to supply its growing energy needs.
New Delhi is currently negotiating with the purchase of US civilian nuclear technology.
The Indo-French agreement signed on Monday grants France the right to sell export-restricted technology to India if there is no breakthrough in India’s negotiations with the US. Indo-US negotiations have been stalled because of India’s refusal to separate its civilian and military nuclear facilities.
France is also hoping to strike key defense deals with India, which is hoping to buy 126 new warplanes - a deal worth billions that France is keen to secure.
Bush is scheduled to visit India next month.
In a joint statement, the two sides agreed to “strike a bilateral cooperation agreement on the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, subject to their respective international commitments and obligations”.
The agreement was singed during the three-day visit to India of French President Jacques Chirac.
“India’s access to civilian-nuclear technology […] is indeed necessary in order to drive and fuel India's economic development,” news agencies quoted Chirac as saying.
France is committed to ending the international ban on nuclear-technology exports to India.
In July last year, the administration of US President George W. Bush signed an accord allowing India to develop nuclear technology to supply its growing energy needs.
New Delhi is currently negotiating with the purchase of US civilian nuclear technology.
The Indo-French agreement signed on Monday grants France the right to sell export-restricted technology to India if there is no breakthrough in India’s negotiations with the US. Indo-US negotiations have been stalled because of India’s refusal to separate its civilian and military nuclear facilities.
France is also hoping to strike key defense deals with India, which is hoping to buy 126 new warplanes - a deal worth billions that France is keen to secure.
Bush is scheduled to visit India next month.
posted by Marko at 2/20/2006 07:52:00 AM
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