Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 22 embarked on a 10-day visit to the United States and France which was expected to mark India’s opening nuclear trade with the world after a three-decade ban. Singh also attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York as well as the India-European Union Summit in Marseilles before returning on October 2. Earlier this month, the Nuclear Suppliers Group lifted a 34-year-old ban to allow India to trade in fissile materials and technology.
To advance on nuclear supply issues with France, Singh was to arrive in Paris on September 30. India and France negotiated a nuclear cooperation pact during Sarkozy’s visit to Delhi in January, which could also be clinched and signed after bilateral talks, Indian officials said. France is a key player in civilian nuclear energy and is keen to begin nuclear trade with India. Indian officials said nuclear energy is vital in meeting the fast-growing country’s energy demands. Industry analysts estimate that India’s civilian nuclear energy programme could generate business worth USD 100 billion over the next decade.