Question : CIVIL NUCLEAR DEAL

(a) the names of countries with which India has signed civil nuclear deals and the details of countries with which dialogue is underway for signing MoU in future;

(b) the names of countries which have offered to provide nuclear fuels viz., uranium to India;

(c) whether USA’s concerns on India’s nuclear supplier liability clause has allegedly blocked Indian nuclear trade; and

(d) if so, the steps taken to open up the nuclear trade through effective dialogue along with the progress achieved in this regard so far?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

(a) & (b) India has signed civil nuclear cooperation agreements with France, United States (US), Russia, Namibia, Canada, Argentina, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Czech Republic and Australia. A joint declaration has also been signed with United Kingdom; a Memorandum of Understanding on civil nuclear cooperation has been signed with Mongolia. No discussions are currently underway for signing an MoU with other countries. France, Russia and Kazakhstan have supplied nuclear fuel viz., uranium to India.

(c) & (d) No. Some nuclear equipment suppliers within the country and from countries like the US have raised concerns regarding suppliers liability provided under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. During the recent visit of the Prime Minister of India to the United States, the two sides agreed to establish a Contact Group on advancing the implementation of civil nuclear energy co-operation. The Contact Group will meet on December 16 & 17, 2014 and discuss all implementation issues including liability. Government is committed to taking forward the implementation of civil nuclear cooperation with our international partners including US keeping in mind our national law and our international commitments.