No compromise on fast breeder reactors: PM
by Pankaj Yadav

     New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Tuesday that his government had no plans to comprise the country's fast-breeder reactor programme through the July 18, 2005 nuclear deal inked with the United States. Making a statement in Parliament here today on the separation plan for civilian and military nuclear reactors, Singh said that the FBR programme, which is presently at a development stage, would not come under any international safeguards as a result of the nuclear deal that had been formalised during last week's visit by U.S.President George W Bush.

     Dr Singh also informed Members of Parliament that both New Delhi and Washington had agreed that there would be no capping of the country's strategic nuclear programme and that Washington has assured uninterrupted supply of fuel to Indian reactors under international safeguards. The Prime Minister informed the Lower House that as a result of the nuclear agreement, India would put 14 nuclear reactors (or 65 percent of its nuclear establishments) under international safeguards by 2014. "There are 22 thermal power reactors in operation or currently under construction in the country. Fourteen of these will be placed under safeguards by 2014 in a phased manner. This would raise the total installed thermal power capacity in Megawatts under safeguards from 19 percent at present to 65 percent by 2014," Dr.Singh said. "We are preparing a list of 14 reactors that would be offered for safeguards between 2006-14. We have conveyed that India will not accept safeguards on the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) and the Fast Breeder Test Reactor FBTR), both located at Kalpakkam. The Fast Breeder Programme is at the R and D stage. This technology will take time to mature and reach an advanced stage of development," the Prime Minister said. "India has decided to permanently shut down the CIRUS reactor, in 2010. The fuel core of the Apsara reactor was purchased from France, and we are prepared to shift it from its present location and make it available for placing under safeguards in 2010," he said. "We are determined that such steps will not hinder ongoing research and development. Reprocessing and enrichment capabilities and other facilities associated with the fuel cycle for our strategic programme have been kept out of the Separation Plan," he added. "The United States has also reaffirmed its assurance to create the necessary conditions for India to have assured and full access to fuel for such reactors. Under the July 18 Joint Statement, the United States is committed to seeking agreement from its Congress to amend domestic laws and to work with friends and allies to adjust the practices of the Nuclear Suppliers Group to create the necessary conditions for India to obtain full access to the international market for nuclear fuel, including reliable, uninterrupted and continual access to fuel supplies from firms in several nations," he said. "The separation plan does not come in the way of the integrity of our three stage nuclear programme, including the future use of our thorium reserves. The autonomy of our research and development activities in the nuclear field will remain unaffected," Dr.Singh said.

    "The agreement will end India's nuclear isolation," Dr Singh said. "India has decided to place under safeguards all future civilian thermal power reactors and civilian breeder reactors, and the Government of India retains the sole right to determine such reactors as civilian," Singh said. "This means that India will not be constrained in any way in building future nuclear facilities, whether civilian or military, as per our national requirements," he said. "I believe that the significance of the July 18, 2005 Statement is the prospect it offers for ending India's nuclear isolation. It will open up prospects for cooperation not only with the US but with countries like Russia, France and other countries with advanced nuclear capabilities, including those from the NSG," Singh said. "India will be able to join the international mainstream and occupy its rightful place among the top countries of the nuclear community. There would be a quantum jump in our energy generating capacity with a consequential impact on our GDP growth. It also ensures India's participation as a full partner in cutting edge multilateral scientific effort in the nuclear field such as ITER and Generation IV Initiative," he added. "At the appropriate stage, India will approach the IAEA to discuss and fashion an India-specific safeguards agreement, which will reflect the unique character of this arrangement," he said. "Since such a safeguards agreement is yet to be negotiated it will be difficult to predict its content, but I can assure that we will not accept any provisions that go beyond the parameters of the July 18, 2005 Statement and the Separation Plan agreed between India and the United States, on March 2, 2006," Singh said. Reacting to the statement, the BJP said it appeared the Government is not prepared to lay the separation plan on the table of the House, but the Prime Minister retorted and said that the plan for separation had already been placed before the House on March 2, leaving the BJP and other opposition members in a state of confusion.

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