New Delhi: Cooperation in the field of
civilian nuclear energy, including uranium mining and setting
up and construction of nuclear power plants, are among a host
of issues on the agenda during External Affairs Minister S M
Krishna's visit to Kazakhstan beginning tomorrow.
The two sides will specifically discuss progress on
ongoing negotiations on inter-governmental agreement on civil
nuclear cooperation when Krishna meets Kazakhstan President
Nursultan Nazarbaev and hold talks with Foreign Minister Kanat
Saudabayev.
During the three-day visit, Krishna will be accompanied by
a delegation of business leaders who will look for economic
opportunities with focus on sectors like hydro-carbons.
"Talks will be held in the fields of agriculture, energy,
civil construction, mining, Information Technology and a host
of other issues," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson
Vishnu Prakash told reporters here today.
Both the countries have an ambitious and forward looking
agenda and are looking towards deepening this cooperation, he
said.
A member of the department of atomic energy will also be
part of the delegation.
An inter-governmental agreement on civilian nuclear energy
is under discussion between the two sides, Ajay Bisaria, Joint
Secretary (Eastern Europe) in MEA, said adding it is a
broad-based agreement in line with that of Russia.
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.
"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," Bisaria
said.
Discussions would also be held in the Hydro-carbon sector,
he said.
Kazakhstan is keen on India's private as well as public
sector investments, the official added.
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
spokesperson said.
PTI
First Published: Monday, May 10, 2010, 20:23