India will seek uranium from Namibia for its peaceful nuclear energy use during the visit of President Pranab Mukherjee by trying to convince the fourth largest producer of the mineral to implement a seven-year-old agreement enabling the supply.
Mukherjee will be visiting three African countries-Ghana, Ivory Coast and Namibia--starting June 12 during which a range of important bilateral, regional and international issues are expected to come up during his talks with the African leaders. It will be Mukherjee's first ever visit to these countries.
The supply of uranium to India is expected to figure during the talks Mukherjee will have with Namibian President Hage Gottfried Geingob, Secretary (ER) Amar Sinha told reporters here today.
India had signed an agreement on cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energry with Namibia in 2009 when the then President Hifikepunye Pohamba visited this country.
The agreement has not been able to take off as it is yet to be ratified by Namibian parliament. Besides, that country is bound by Pelindaba treaty signed by African Union which prevents supply of uranium to countries which have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
"Namibia is the fourth largest producer of uranium but they have an African Union agreement which impeads its implementation. Namibia has not been able to break that unity or the binding commitment (known as Pelindaba treaty)," he said.
Officials said India has signed bilateral agreements with countries like Australia, Canada for uranium supply without signing NPT.
"We have raised this issue with Namibia and we would again try to impress upon them that India is a very good market for uranium and the fact is that because we had thought that this MoU would kick in quickly and has not happened we have been looking and signing agreements with other countries.
"So eventually if we meet our requirement from non-Namibian sources it would be loss to Namibian industry," Sinha said.
The Secretary said it's a win win situation for both which brings them revenue and makes available to India uranium that they have.
"I am sure the President will speak to their President... Uranium in their mines does not bring them revenue. Since 2009 India's own status in the nuclear world has changed so that should also perhaps encourage them to have a re-look," he said.
Besides the uranium supply, India will offer help in setting up their army's signals unit by extending technical expertise.
"During the visit, discussions will be held on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. The President will also address a joint session of Parliament of Namibia, an India-Namibia Business Event, and Namibian University of Science and Technology," an official statement said.
Mukherjee's visit will also be first to Namibia by an Indian President in over two decades.
The visit to Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire (also called as
Ivory Coast) will be first ever by an Indian President.
The President will arrive at Ghana's capital Accra on June 12 where he will have meeting with President John Dramani Mahama. The two countries are likely to sign agreements on a Joint Commission and renewal of Cultural Exchange Programme.
The President will address a Joint Business Forum and students and faculty of University of Ghana besides having an interaction with the Indian community at a reception organised at the Indian High Commission.
He will also unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi gifted by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations.
In the second leg of his visit starting June 14, the President will arrive in Abidjan, largest city of Cote d'Ivoire.
India had established its Embassy in Abidjan in 1979, while Cote d'Ivoire (also called as Ivory Coast) opened its Resident Mission here in September 2004.
He will have a meeting with Republic of Cote d'Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara after which the two sides are expected to sign number of agreements to upgrade bilateral ties.
"The agreement regarding opening of EXIM Bank Representative/Regional in Abidjan would be handed over in presence of both the Presidents. The President would address a Joint Business Forum and also interact with the Indian Community," a statement said.
Giving further details, Press Secretary to the President Venu Rajamony said the President has had a long association with Africa and his recent important engagement was when he hosted African leaders who came for the third India-Africa summit in Delhi in 2015.
"The President incidentally was the person who as External Affairs Minister in 2008 initiated the first India-Africa summit. The last visit of the President to Africa was to attend memorial meeting in the honour of late Nelson Mandela when he passed away in December 2013 when he had gone with multi-party delegation which included Sonia Gandhi, Sushma Swaraj, Anand Sharma, Sitaram Yechury," he said.
"President has not been to any of the three countries before. In the past, he has travelled many times to Mauritius, Uganda, Libya, Morocco, Egypt and South Africa but these three countries he is visiting for the first time," he said.
