Congress 'happy' about India-Canada Uranium supply deal

The Congress party on Thursday said it was 'happy' about the signing of the long-pending Uranium deal between India and Canada, which would help end the process of international isolationism against India in the nuclear energy field.

"We are happy that the process of international isolationism against India in the nuclear energy field that was ended by the UPA's continuous persistent efforts is being carried forward. The Uranium deal will assist in promoting that initiative. We are happy and it is in the public interest," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told ANI.

The Canadian government on Wednesday unveiled a C$350 million deal to supply uranium fuel to India, formally ending a lengthy dispute that began after New Delhi used Canadian technology to develop a nuclear bomb.

The joint statement released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper underscored the considerable potential for mutually-beneficial civil nuclear cooperation and welcomed the signing of an agreement between the Indian Department of Atomic Energy and Cameco of Canada for the long-term supply of uranium to India to meet its energy needs.

They recognised that the agreement would impart a new significance to India-Canada Civil Nuclear Cooperation.

The two leaders agreed to encourage a collaborative programme to leverage their industries' respective strengths in the field of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor technology for mutual benefit, as well as for the benefit of global nuclear energy needs.

Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Harper also encouraged closer cooperation in civil nuclear energy between their companies and welcomed the setting up of the India Nuclear Insurance Pool with potential participation of foreign companies as a positive step towards facilitating such cooperation.