NEW DELHI: Adding a new dimension to their strategic ties, India and the UK have decided to start negotiations on a civil nuclear pact to facilitate entry of British companies into emerging atomic power sector here.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made the announcement after delegation-level talks with visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron during which both sides reviewed entire gamut of bilateral relations.
“We have also decided to commence negotiations on a bilateral Civil Nuclear Agreement,” Singh said.
India has already signed civil nuclear pacts with a number of countries including United States, France, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Mongolia and Canada.
The Prime Minister said he thanked Cameron for Britain’s support for India’s full membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and other multilateral export control regimes.
Cameron said Britain was in favor of transferring high-technology to India.
India has planned to reach a nuclear power capacity of 63,000MW in 2032 against its current installed capacity of 4,780MW and a number of countries have been vying to get a share of India’s lucrative atomic energy market.
Concerns on Choppergate
After wide-ranging talks which included key issues of nuclear energy cooperation, security, terrorism and trade, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he conveyed to Cameron India’s “serious concerns” pertaining to the chopper scam and sought his “full assistance” on the issue.
Over allegations of “unethical means” used to secure Rs 3600 crore VVIP chopper deal involving Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland, the British Premier assured all possible help while asserting that it has one of the strongest anti-bribery laws in the world.
Giving details of his discussions, he said “I also conveyed to Prime Minister Cameron our very serious concerns regarding allegations about unethical means used in securing the 2010 contract for Agusta Westland helicopters.
“I told him that we have sought an explanation from the company by February 22 to examine if the contractual provisions on unethical practices and the Integrity Pact have been violated. I have sought full assistance from the UK in this case. Prime Minister Cameron has assured me of the cooperation of his Government in the investigations.”
On his part, Cameron said,” In terms of AgustaWestland…we will respond to any requests for information. I am glad the Italian authorities are looking into this issue in detail as Finmeccanica is an Italian company, a parent company of AgustaWestland…
“Let me make it absolutely clear that in Britain, we have introduced an anti-bribery legislation that is probably the strongest anywhere in the world and will root out any problem of bribery or corruption whenever and wherever they appear,” Cameron said.
Cameron also expressed willingness on UK’s part to “rewrite” the rules on sharing technology in a bid to increase high-tech exports and said he had detailed discussions on defense and security cooperation, including in the field of cyber security.
Singh noted that he had very “candid and productive discussions” on regional and global issues and shared their perspectives on the security and political transition in Afghanistan.
“Prime Minister Cameron and I agreed that in keeping with our strategic relationship, it is important for our two sides to consult closely and remain sensitive to each others interests,” Singh said.
Noting that they had discussions at length to enhance cooperation in fighting terrorism, Cameron said both countries have been victims of terrorism and “We will work together.
“We agreed on the need for a stable and secure Pakistan which is at peace with itself and with its neighbors and which will eradicate the threat the terrorists pose both within and beyond its borders. We said that must include Pakistan bringing to justice the perpetrators of the terrible attack in Mumbai and we will work together to that end.”
-PTI
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