Barely 24 hours after placating the Left, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday once again espoused the need for India to integrate itself within the international nuclear matrix for its energy needs but said such cooperation was not dependent on any one country, an oblique reference to the Left?s anti-US criticism.
Maintaining that a strong nuclear energy programme is in India?s ?vital interest? and it could not afford to ?miss the bus? of nuclear renaissance, the Prime Minister left no doubt that his government would move ahead with operationalisation of the deal. The Prime Minister was speaking in Tarapur at a ceremony to dedicate two nuclear reactors of the Tarapur Atomic Station to the nation.
He pointed out that India couldn?t source nuclear fuel or technology from countries like the US, Russia and France ?until the nuclear suppliers group (NSG) adapts its guidelines to enable nuclear commerce with India?.
?The NSG itself has made it clear that they will not do so till the India specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA is finalised. Once these and other steps are taken, India can commence civil nuclear cooperation with all the 45 members of the NSG,? he added.
The Prime Minister also referred to the ?modest target? of 20,000 mw of nuclear power generation by the year 2020. ?This can be doubled with the opening up of international cooperation,? he said. Expressing full confidence in scientists and engineers, the Prime Minister said he believed that the removal of ?iniquitous restrictions and shackles on our programme will enhance our indigenous capabilities?.
?A strong nuclear energy programme is in our vital interest and is important for our scientific development, energy needs and security,? he emphasised, adding, ?It will add to our capabilities and strength as a nation?. He said sustainability of our long-term economic growth was ?critically dependent? on the country?s ability to meet its future energy requirements.
He noted that India?s three-stage nuclear power programme formed the bedrock of its long-term strategy.
