Hailing the forward movement in the just concluded Indo-US nuclear talks in Washington, top scientists cautioned the government against any dilution of the original July 18, 2005 joint statement on full civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries.
With US and Indian negotiators reaching an understanding on a pact that will operationalise the landmark deal by overcoming contentious issues like reprocessing and fuel supply, the scientists said this was a welcome step as it would end India's decades-old nuclear isolation.
M R Srinivasan, member of the Atomic Energy Commission and former chairman of the body, said, "This will end India's nuclear isolation which was always due to US policy."
However, some experts pointed out that it was still not clear whether the latest understanding between the two sides will free India, facing technology denial for over three decades, to shop around for civil nuclear technology and fuel.
Former Bhabha Atomic Research Centre director A N Prasad said: "It isn't very clear whether the deal will be for full civilian nuclear cooperation as envisaged in the 2005 statement."
Though the 30-page document on the 123 Agreement drafted by the negotiators has to get approval from the Indian and US governments, the scientists were sure the move would enable New Delhi to openly negotiate with the world nuclear business community and boost power generation capacity by getting access to nuclear components.
Top Nuclear Power Corporation officials, who did not wish to be named, hailed the breakthrough and said there is a recognition that India has to go through the "reprocessing mode" for energy production. Though fuel reprocessing is a little expensive, it gives 30 times more energy than conventional nuclear plants, they said.
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