Canada poised to ink nuke cooperation deal with India

Ottawa (Canada), May 28 (ANI): Canada is poised to sign a nuclear technology deal with India, the country's International Trade Minister Stockwell Day said Wednesday.

The pact will open up the lucrative Indian market to Canadian nuclear exports for the first time in more than three decades.

"We're very close to having an agreement with India related to the civilian use of nuclear energy for the purpose of helping them meet their energy needs," the Globe and Mail quoted Day, as saying in an interview.

Shashishekhar M. Gavai, India's High Commissioner to Canada, told a news agency that Canadian and Indian officials have already exchanged the draft agreement.

"An expert Canadian team was in Mumbai last week to work out, with the Atomic Energy Commission of India, final technical details and conditions under which business can be done," he said.

Gavai could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

In January, Crown-owned Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., signed a deal with Indian heavy engineering giant Larsen and Toubro to start costing out next-generation nuclear reactors - the prelude to a possible sale.

That deal hinged on the governments of Canada and India signing a nuclear co-operation agreement.

Day said that bilateral deal is imminent.

The international community lifted a three-decade ban on nuclear trade with India last September - even though India still refuses to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. (ANI)