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Kerry visit focuses on N-reactors
India confirms progress on nuke deal with US; two reactors to be set up in Gujarat
Ashok Tuteja
Tribune News Service

Two nuclear reactors in PM’s home state Commercial negotiations between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India and the Westinghouse Electric Company of the US regarding the two nuclear power reactors are taking place About 10,000 MW of electricity is likely to be generated at the two sites earmarked for these reactors A ‘revised and restated confidentiality agreement’ between the NPCIL and the WEC has also been finalised to clarify information sharing mechanisms

New Delhi, July 30
As US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived here today for the 5th Indo-US strategic dialogue tomorrow, New Delhi confirmed that talks were on between the two countries for setting up two nuclear power reactors at Mithi Virdi in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state Gujarat.

Hours before Kerry flew into Delhi for the dialogue with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, official sources said commercial negotiations between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and the Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) of the US regarding the two reactors were taking place. About 10,000 MW of electricity was likely to be generated at the two sites earmarked for these reactors.

A ‘revised and restated confidentiality agreement’ between the NPCIL and the WEC has also been finalised to clarify information sharing mechanisms. A pre-early works contract had been concluded between the two companies in September last year.

The development reflects that the two countries have made progress on implementing the nuclear deal despite reservations expressed publicly by Washington over India’s Civil Nuclear Liability law.

Meanwhile, Modi today met Swaraj and Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and discussed the present status of relations between the two countries.

Early tomorrow, Kerry will meet Jaitley and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval before talking to Swaraj. According to MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin, the two leaders would hold restricted talks for about one hour, followed by delegation-level talks for around two hours. After that, they would have a joint press interaction, followed by a working dinner. Kerry will meet Modi on Friday before leaving India.

The focus of the dialogue would be on issues such as security, energy, trade and investment, science and technology, human resource development and regional and international issues.

In response to a question, the spokesman indicated that Delhi would raise the issue of reports about authorisation of snooping by the US National Security Agency (NSA) on Indian political entities and individuals since there was ‘considerable disquiet’ over it in India.

The visit would also lay the groundwork for Modi’s visit to Washington in late September for talks with President Barack Obama.