M A I N   N E W S

Russian N-fuel for Tarapur
Rajeev Sharma
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 14
Russia has acceded to India’s request and agreed to supply a limited amount of uranium fuel for Tarapur nuclear power plant, the Ministry of External Affairs said today.

Moscow’s decision comes days ahead of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail E Fradkov’s two-day India visit, beginning on March 16. During the visit, Mr Fradkov will have talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Hydyerabad House on March 17, call on President A P J Abdul Kalam, and also hold meetings with Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath.

Significantly, Russia has notified the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) of its intention to supply the fuel under a particular clause which is the safety exception clause of the guidelines. Russia is a member of the NSG. The Russian supply would be for the safeguarded units 1 and 2 of the Tarapur plant. This supply of fuel will enable the plant to continue to operate in safety and provide much needed electricity to the western power grid of the country.

When asked whether Russia had obtained approval of the NSG in this regard, MEA spokesman said: “According to our information, they have notified the NSG of their intention to supply fuel to Tarapur under the safety exception clause of the NSG guidelines. The shortage of fuel for Tarapur would have affected its continued operations under reliable and safe conditions.”

Asked whether this move of Russia agreeing to send uranium supply for Tarapur would allow more countries to have dealings outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the spokesman gave a detailed answer as follows: “Let me put it like this. You know India has made a request to the United States for supply of fuel for Tarapur, and this is not being possible under the current US laws. The July 18 statement has stated that the US will seek to adjust its laws and seek a change in NSG guidelines to enable full civil nuclear cooperation with India, including, fuel supplies to the safeguarded reactors at Tarapur. The statement also commits the United States, in the meantime to encourage its partners to consider supply of fuel expeditiously to India, and India has had to seek this urgent and limited supply of uranium fuel to enable the Tarapur reactors to function in safe and reliable conditions.”