Indo-French nuclear business meets from Oct 15

Indo-French nuclear business meets from Oct 15
28 Sep, 2007, 1630 hrs IST, PTI

MUMBAI: In the backdrop of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) planning to buy six nuclear power reactors from France, an Indo-French nuclear business meet will begin here from October 15.

The meeting is organised by the French embassy in collaboration with NPCIL, a top scientist said.

"The two-day meet is to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in the nuclear power sector and also to improve the relationship between the industries of both India and France," S K Agrawal, Director, Projects of NPCIL told media today.

"We are expecting the participation of over 20 French nuclear companies including AREVA and an equal number from India," he said.

NPCIL plans to buy six nuclear power reactors from France, Agrawal said.

AREVA could be one of the biggest suppliers for its Jaitapur site in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra which is one of the four coastal sites selected by NPCIL for imported reactors, he said.

Also, NPCIL can enter into business with the French only after the completion of the Indo-US deal, he said.

On that front, US has a timeframe for the entire process including India's discussion with the International Atomic Energy Agency on safeguards and US' negotiations with the NSG countries.

Asked whether other members of Nuclear Suppliers Group were also in touch with NPCIL officials, Agrawal said, the Japanese were interested and Mitsuibishi had held talks with the NPCIL officials.