Modi Visit: India, Canada Ties Get 'New Vigour, New Steps'

By siliconindia | Thursday, 16 April 2015, 10:31 Hrs

OTTAWA: India and Canada agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper and both underscored the considerable potential for mutually-beneficial civil nuclear cooperation.

In a joint statement, titled Naya Utsah, naye kadam' or New Vigour: New Steps', the two prime ministers welcomed the signing of an agreement between the Department of Atomic Energy of the Government of India and Cameco of Canada for long-term supply of uranium to India to meet its energy needs. They recognised that the agreement would impart a new significance to India-Canada Civil Nuclear Cooperation.

Both agreed to encourage a collaborative programme to leverage their industries' respective strengths in the field of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor technology for mutual benefit, as well as for the benefit of global nuclear energy needs.

They also encouraged closer cooperation in civil nuclear energy between their companies and welcomed the setting up of the India Nuclear Insurance Pool with potential participation of foreign companies as a positive step towards facilitating such cooperation, said the joint statement.

They noted the planned Canadian civil nuclear trade mission to India in October 2015.

They also agreed to explore mutually beneficial partnerships in the application of radio-isotopes for societal benefits.

The two leaders, recognising the importance of taking the collaboration in nuclear science and technology to the next level, encouraged their respective atomic energy establishments and research institutions to establish mechanisms for long-term and mutually beneficial R&D collaboration in peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Source: PTI