India-France pacts pave way for Jaitapur nuclear plant

India and France on Monday signed key agreements to give the go-ahead to the Jaitapur nuclear plant in Maharashtra with the help of Areva-built reactors despite local protests over the unit in the western state.

While seven agreements were signed the key pact was the partnership between French nuclear builder Areva and India’s NCPIL (Nuclear Power Cooperation of India Limited) to make the Jaitapur plant on.

The other pacts included those on space technology and joint film productions.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said France is India’s most reliable defence partner in the presence of French President Nicholas Sarkozy as the two countries signed a host of agreements on nuclear cooperation, space technology and cultural ties.

Sarkozy, who is on the third day of his visit to India, once again reaffirmed his country’s support for India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and said “France and India share the same values and hopes in the future.”

Agreements were signed to make operational the Jaitapur nuclear plant in Maharashtra with the nuclear reactors of French firm Areva which will prove two reactors now, of the six needed.

Prime Minister said Areva with its reactors will take India’s nuclear power production to 10,000 megawatt from the present 4000 megawatt.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in the fueld of nuclear energy, negotiations are at advanced stage to launch Jaitapur in partnership.

The JNPP comprises six EPRs each of 1650 MW, proposed to be set up in a phased manner in twin unit construction mode over a period of 15-17 years by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) in technical collaboration with Areva, France at Madban village in Ratnagiri district of Maharshtra.

The first EPR unit at Jaitapur is expected to start generating electricity within seven years from now.

The two leaders avoided the prickly nuclear liability law enacted in India, seen as a roadblock to nuclear cooperation between India and nuclear suppliers of Europe and USA owing to high liability cap on the supplier in the event of a nuclear accident.

The tough liability law was enacted in the wake of the Bhopal gas leak judgement and a renewed clamour for industrial and nuclear safety and compensation for the victims in the event of accidents.

“We have come to visit as a partner in the civil nuclear cooperation,” Sarkozy said who lavished praise on the Prime Minister and said he admired hims since he was the finance minister.

Singh said high importance was laid by both governments on strategic partnerships and India has got unqualified support from France and made the ties dynamic and based on strong trust.

“We have made significant progress on all issues,” Singh said, informing that partnerships are also on anvil on research on nuclear safety.

The PM said India and France made strong progress on counter-terrorism and green technology issues while France is highly supportive of India’s space capabilities.

The PM said the trade between the two nations is like to touch 12 billion Euro by 2012.

The two leaders have also discussed the geopolitical issues like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Myanmar.

Sarkozy said the permanent membership of India in UNSC is for a better equilibrium of the whole world.

He said he was looking forward to the visit of PM Singh within the framework of G20 summit.

Earlier, after a tour of Taj Mahal with wife Carla Bruni and dinner diplomacy at the residence of the Prime Minister on Sunday night, Sarkozy began business on Monday morning as the two sides held their delegation level talks at the Hyderabad House here.

On Sunday night Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni attended a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence, ahead of which he held a 30-minute talk with Singh.

The dinner was also graced by Congress president Sonia Gandhi besides leaders like Pranab Mukherjee and SM Krishna.

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, Speaker Meira Kumar, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and the National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon were also present, according to reports.