One nuclear deal done, more lined up

One nuclear deal done, more lined up:

"Early December is when Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will visit India, and when the Indo-Russian agreement for civil nuclear cooperation will be signed. With intense pressure from the US, Russia and France to effect long-term commercial deals, sources said, India has decided to operationalise all three agreements simultaneously. In fact, France is said to be keen on starting uranium supply immediately and wants India to sign the agreement that would allow Areva to set up European Pressurised Reactors in India.

Looking beyond, India has extended an invitation to Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev to be the chief guest at this year’s Republic Day Parade. Kazakhstan has 15 per cent of the world’s uranium reserves and is an important prospective seller for India. Negotiations are also underway with Niger for uranium, shortage of which is currently hampering the Indian programme.

The government also plans to amend the Atomic Energy Act to strengthen the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board as a precursor to allowing private investment. Discussions are underway whether to go in for a one-time amendment that opens doors for private investment or to move one step at a time by first strengthening the regulatory mechanism"