Krishna arrives in Kazakhstan

Sreeparna C Mukhuty

Astana, May 11 (PTI) External Affairs Minister of
India S M Krishna arrived here on Tuesday for a three-day
visit during which he will discuss cooperation in the field of
civilian nuclear energy, including uranium mining and setting
up and construction of nuclear power plants, with Kazakhstan
leaders.

Krishna will hold talks with Foreign Minister Kanat
Saudabayev and call on President Nursultan Nazarbaev during
his visit.
"This is my first bilateral visit to Kazakhstan. It is
our important partner in central Asia," Krishna told reporters
here on his arrival.
During his meetings, the two sides will specifically
discuss progress on ongoing negotiations on inter-governmental
agreement on civil nuclear cooperation.
Krishna will also discuss issues related to
agriculture, energy, civil construction, mining, Information
Technology besides a host of other issues.
The minister is also accompanied by a delegation of
business leader who will look for economic opportunities with
focus on sectors like hydro-carbons. A member of the
Department of Atomic Energy is also part of the delegation.
An inter-governmental agreement on civilian nuclear
energy is under discussion between the two sides. It envisages
cooperation in a complete range of nuclear-related activities
which includes fuel, uranium mining and setting up and
construction of nuclear power plants, officials said.
"A draft has been floated and we expect further
discussions to take place. It may not be signed during the
visit but certainly discussions will take place," they said.
Kazakhstan has initiated an accelerated innovation
industrial development programme under which they are planning
more than 170 major projects for industrialising the country.
"It is a multi-billion dollar project and they have
said they are keen to see active Indian participation," the
officials said. PTI SPC
AHM