Japan begins nuke co-operation talks with India

New Delhi, Aug 22: The Indian and Japanese foreign ministers have held talks on a civil nuclear co-operation agreement.

The Japanese minister, Katsuya Okada, held talks with India's External Affairs Minister SM Krishna. Japanese minister told that the decision to start negotiations had been one of the toughest he had ever had to make.

During Japanese minister's two day visit, he also told that if India conducted nuclear tests Japan would suspend cooperation. Japan has been hesitant to sign a deal because India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

A second round of talks on a civil nuclear pact between the two countries is expected to be signed in Sep 2010. Katsuya Okada visit came a day after India's cabinet approved a delayed draft law that will pave the way for foreign companies to build reactors in India, where the atomic energy market is reported to be worth $150 billion.

OneIndia News