Modi visit pushed N-cooperation with France, Canada: Govt

The recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to France and Canada has facilitated forward movement in civil nuclear cooperation with these countries and opened up new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy, Government today said.
"The visit of the Prime Minister has facilitated forward movement in the civil nuclear cooperation agreement with these countries and opened up new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy," Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh said.
The agreement entered between India and France will help Nuclear Power Corporation of India obtain details of French technology, make detailed plant safety assessment and take up the licensing process with India's Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for the Jaitapur nuclear plant, he said.

In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, he said as per the agreement entered with Canada, uranium provided under the contract will be used for manufacturing in India of nuclear fuel for use in nuclear power plants.
It will further enhance the utilisation of India's installed and upcoming nuclear power generation capacity, the Minister said.
He also said the agreement will facilitate India's efforts to enhance the share of low-carbon energy resources in its total energy mix with a view to address climate change.
Replying to a separate question, he said the Integrated Regulatory Review Service team of the International Atomic Energy Agency had recently carried out peer review of regulatory framework of the AERB with respect to the nuclear power plants and projects in India.

It said AERB is an experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated regulatory body for the protection of the public and the environment. It also said that AERB continues to enhance its regulatory programme to face the current and future challenges in regulating nuclear safety.