Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether despite the setback suffered with the negative outcome of the NSG plenary meeting in Seoul, India is still confident to secure critical inputs for its civilian nuclear power installations;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether Australia and Canada have already entered into agreements with India on supply of uraniums; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) & (b) India has a well-developed and diversified indigenous nuclear power programme. In addition, pursuant to the September 2008 Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) decision, India is pursuing civil nuclear cooperation with key partners such as Canada, France, Kazakhstan, Russia and the US. Progress continues to be made under these bilateral agreements. Membership of NSG would place our existing cooperation on a predictable basis and facilitate the enhanced investments, industrial tie ups and technology access required to accelerate augmentation of nuclear power capacity in India.
(c) & (d) India and Australia have concluded an Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy which entered into force in November 2015. The Agreement promotes cooperation whereby Australia can play the role of a long-term supplier of uranium to India.
India and Canada have also concluded an Agreement on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy which is already in force. During the visit of the Prime Minister to Canada (April 14 - 16, 2015), an Agreement between the Department of Atomic Energy of the Government of India and M/s CAMECO of Canada was signed for long-term supply of uranium to India to meet its energy needs. Uranium shipment under this Agreement has begun.