Peaceful use of nuclear energy

India and Russia share a long history of cooperation in conventional energy which can be taken further towards non-proliferation

Gennady M. Evstafiev Moscow
Russian-Indian cooperation in the sphere of peaceful use of atomic energy is full of potential. Legally this bilateral relationship is covered by the Russian-Indian inter-governmental memorandum of October 4, 2000 which envisages the expansion of technical and economic cooperation in the field of producing atomic energy for peaceful purposes, building nuclear power stations included, creation of new nuclear-safe technologies from the point of view of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, for improving the
ecological situation and maintaining sustainable growth.

India, which in recent years has shown remarkable economic achievements, suffers from permanent electricity shortages. The amount of electricity produced at 14 Indian nuclear power blocks at present reaches only 3 per cent of total energy supply in the country. To fill the target of 10 per cent, Delhi has started a national programme aimed at vastly expanding its energy complex, with an investment of up to US$170 billion in the next few years. Eyeing this promising energy market are transnational giants such as General Electric, AES, Transpower Generation Corporation (all USA), Siemens (Germany), Rolls Royce and National Power (UK), China Power Generation (China).

The former USSR traditionally played a leading role as a reliable partner in the nuclear field, a relationship that was criticised by those interested in stepping in to fill the demand. India's request to supply nuclear fuel to the Tarapur nuclear power station (built incidentally by US firms) was not accommodated in 2001 by other countries, including the US, who cited the requirements of the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Russia decided in the interests of nuclear safety in India to supply Delhi with low enriched uranium worth US$23 million dollars thus saving Indian nuclear sector from a possible collapse. Moscow helped Delhi out, but it should not neglect its obligations under NPT and regulations of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).