Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brokered a deal with US President Barack Obama
to move towards a commercial nuclear power agreement. Both countries came to an
agreement in 2008 which stalled due to legalities.
Deutsche Welle, 25 Jan 2015
India's
nuclear trade deal with the United States comes six years after both countries
signed a landmark nuclear agreement to give India access to civilian nuclear
technology.
The 2008
deal had been delayed due to US concerns over India's strict liability laws,
should there be a nuclear accident.
Addressing
a joint press conference on the first day of Obama's visit to India, Modi said
in the capital New Delhi that both countries had achieved a breakthrough with
regard to nuclear technologies.
"I am
pleased that six years after we signed our bilateral agreement, we are moving
towards commercial cooperation, consistent with our laws (and) international
legal obligations," Modi said at the joint press conference with Obama.
No
immediate details were available as to how the deal had been struck. Local
Indian media outlets reported the government has offered to set up insurance
funds to indemnify companies that build reactors within India in the case of an
accident.
"Today
we achieved a breakthrough understanding on two issues that were holding up our
ability to advance our civil nuclear cooperation and we are committed to moving
towards full implementation," Obama told the press conference.
"This
is an important step that shows how we can work together to elevate our
relationship."
jlw/glb (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa)
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugs visiting US President Barack Obama as
first lady Michelle Obama looks on upon their arrival at Air Force station Palam,
in New Delhi on Sunday. (Image credit: PTI)
|
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