France, Russia to assist India to set up global centre for nuclear energy

Besides the US, France and Russia would also assist India in setting up the first global centre for nuclear energy partnership in Haryana to carry out research in areas of advanced nuclear energy systems, nuclear security and radiation technology applications.

"The Centre in Jhajjar district would be set up with assistance of France, Russia and the United States for research and development of secure and proliferation resistant reactor systems," chairman of Atomic Energy Commission Kumar Banerjee told reporters in Chandigarhafter making a presentation to chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on the Centre.

Banerjee said assistance of the United Kingdom may also be taken in this project, he added.

An MoU for cooperation on the Centre was signed during President Barack Obama held with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to the country last month.

"The Centre will facilitate deliberation and discussions of international experts on various issues including innovation in nuclear reactors and the nuclear fuel cycle, development of proliferation-resistant reactors, security technologies and the effects of radiation exposure," Banerjee said.

The initiative was announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington on 13th April 2010.

Banerjee apprised the chief minister of the facilities that would be available at the global centre and the likely benefits for the people in the fields of agriculture, health and industry.
 
He said the Centre would also host short-term training courses for international nuclear experts in the field of nuclear security.