New Delhi: Senior Research Associate at Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, Dr Rajiv Nayan, on Thursday said the world is set to witness a vibrant Indo-Canadian nuclear science front, post the signing of the long-pending uranium deal between the two nations.
"We must recall that it was a Canadian reactor which provided us with technical know-how to create our pressurised heavy water reactors. These CANDU reactors were the first reactors to be used by the Indian Nuclear Science programme and India is also a member of the CANDU Association. We are now going to see a very vibrant Indo-Canada nuclear science front," Nayan said.
"India and Canada are developing a strategic partnership. Before, about five years ago, both countries had signed a bilateral agreement but now during the Prime Minister's visit this old agreement has been commercialised," he added.
Stating that India has faced great difficulties in the past regarding uranium supply, he said, "It is understood that for the next five years, Canada is going to supply 3000 KG of Uranium for India's civil nuclear program."
"It is significant because despite having such agreements with four other countries, in 2014 we again had a problem of Uranium supply for our nuclear reactors. Thus, we can ensure supply to our reactors both existing and future reactors which are under International Atomic Energy safeguards," Nayan added.
The Canadian government on Wednesday unveiled a C$350 million deal to supply uranium fuel to India, formally ending a lengthy dispute that began after New Delhi used Canadian technology to develop a nuclear bomb.
The joint statement released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper underscored the considerable potential for mutually-beneficial civil nuclear cooperation and welcomed the signing of the agreement between the Indian Department of Atomic Energy and Cameco of Canada for the long-term supply of uranium to India to meet its energy needs.
