Ahead of NSG meet, Manmohan harps on nuclear power

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Nuclear energy to meet rising needs, says PM

New Delhi, Aug 15 : As the Indo-US nuclear deal waits the Nuclear Suppliers' Group's(NSG) waiver next week to complete a crucial step in its operationalisation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reiterated that the deal would end the country's nuclear isolation. Pitching for nuclear power, he said it would help India to meet the energy needs of farmers, artisans, traders and the industry.

"The nuclear agreement that we are negotiating with developed countries will end India's nuclear isolation. It will open up new opportunities for trade in dual-use high technologies and nuclear materials and equipment, opening up new pathways to accelerate industrialisation of our country," the Prime Minister said at his Independence Day speech at Red Fort here. "

The UPA government had won the vote of confidence in Lok Sabha on July 22 as the Left parties withdrew their support to the Centre over its decision to go ahead with the nuclear deal. Soon after that, the government had also signed an India-specific safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, clearing one more step for the operationalisation of the deal. "We must apply modern science and technology to find long term solutions to our energy problem. Our crude oil and gas reserves are limited. We must find alternative energy sources. I would like our scientists and engineers to find ways in which we can make better use of solar energy, wind energy, bio-gas and other sources of energy," the Prime Minister said.

Noting that energy is a crucial requirement for maintaining a double-digit growth, he said all over the world, there is "growing realisation" of the importance of atomic energy. "It is a clean, environmental friendly and renewable source of energy," he added.

Appreciating the country's nuclear scientists for their world class efforts, the Prime Minister said inadequate production has been a handicap in India's nuclear programmes. "India's atomic scientists and technologists are world class. They have developed nuclear energy capacities despite heavy odds. But there are handicaps which have adversely affected our atomic energy programme. We have inadequate production of uranium,"