New Delhi: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Paris, France on Tuesday said the two sides are "working hard" to make progress on setting up Jaitapur nuclear power plant, a project which has been stuck because of differences over cost of power to be produced.
The issue is expected to be high on the agenda of Modi's talks with French President Francois Hollande along with other subjects like French investments in India, including defence sector, and the country's participation in upgrading India's railways and creating smart cities.
It is not clear whether the leaders of the two countries will discuss the issue of multi-billion dollar Rafale fighter deal, which is also stuck because of differences between the two sides over pricing.
French Ambassador to India Fran?ois Richier said Modi's visit to his country, beginning on Thursday, would be a "very very great event" during which the two sides will discuss ways to give a push to the entire gamut of relations. Modi will visit France as part of this three-nation tour that will also include Germany and Canada.
Responding to questions over the long-pending proposal to set up nuclear plant at Jaitapur in Maharashtra by French company Areva, he said, "We are working hard to find progress ...Yes, things are working."
He said Modi himself spoke yesterday about the importance of addressing climate change and nuclear power is an important part of it alongside other sources of renewable energy.
Making it clear that the Prime Minister's visit is not linked to this issue, the envoy said if "something good" emerges during the visit, it will be announced.
Under an agreement signed in 2009, Areva is to set up six nuclear reactors at Jaitapur with total capacity of about 10,000 MW.
The project has, however, been stuck over differences regarding the cost of power that will be produced.
The French side has been insisting that the cost should be in the range of Rs 9-9.50 per unit but India wants it to be lowered to Rs 6-6.50 per unit.
