PM says nuke deal with Japan would be a win-win proposition

Ajay Kaul
Tokyo, Oct 24 (PTI) Amid negotiations on a civil
nuclear agreement, India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has
batted for a win-win bilateral deal with Japan, citing huge
opportunities offered by India's nuclear sector in which
Japanese firms can become "partners" given their advanced
capabilities.
Singh said the proposed pact would be a win-win
proposition for both the countries besides helping in the
global efforts to combat climate change.
The two sides have held two rounds of negotiations
which have made progress and the next round is expected in
November to take the discussions further.
"Developing countries like India seek new energy
sources to sustain high rates of economic growth. We see
nuclear energy as a vital component of our global energy mix,"
Singh told some Japanese journalists in Delhi ahead of his
visit here which began today.
"Our nuclear industry is poised for a major expansion
and there will be huge opportunities for the global nuclear
industry to participate in the expansion of India's nuclear
energy programme," he said.
"We would like Japan to be our partner in this
initiative".
He said India was aware of the advanced capabilities
of Japanese firms in the nuclear field and the important role
they play in the global supply chain.
Referring to the proposed nuclear agreement with
Japan, he expressed confidence that it would be completed but
made it clear that there are no deadlines concluding these
negotiations.
When pointed out that Japan was putting the condition
that it will annul the nuclear cooperation if India goes for a
nuclear test and whether it was agreeable to India, Singh
refused to comment on specific details as the negotiations are
still underway. (MORE) PTI