Indian nuclear programme to continue irrespective of US deal

Bangalore, Sep 13 (UNI) The Indian nuclear programme will be pursued undettered irrespective of the Indo-US nuclear deal coming through, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar said today.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines after inaugurating the Emergency Response Centre at the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research here, he said the two countries had held wide ranging discussions on the modalities of the nuclear fuel deal and also some specific discussions with International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA) with regard to India specific efforts.

"We have identified separation plan which has been discussed and agreed upon by the two countries. We are more or less done on approval of the deal. However, now US Congress will have to amend its laws to pass a guideline with regard to nuclear fuel suppliers, so that nuclear cooperation between India and the US can start. The process has to progress in the US Congress technically and we are awaiting the outcome of this process," he said.

Mr Kakodkar categorically stated that if the agreement was reached it would be done soon. "If the agreement doesn't come through, +dont bother+ the Indian civil nuclear programme will continue," he said.

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