Vietnam and India have signed a memorandum of understanding that includes a 'detailed work plan of co-operation for the year 2002 - 2003' for the development of nuclear energy for peaceful and commercial purposes.
The memorandum was signed during a visit to India by a four-member delegation from Vietnam last month, at the invitation of the chairman of the Indian Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Anil Kakodkar. According to officials at the Indian department of atomic energy, the discussions included "presentations by the Indian side on multi-purpose research reactors, the 220 megawatt (MW) pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) and regulatory infrastructure". The announcement follows a bilateral agreement for co-operation into the utilisation of atomic energy for peaceful purposes signed between Vietnam and India in 1986. According to the department of atomic energy, bilateral co-operation regarding nuclear energy "particulary gained momentum" from 1988 when India started receiving Vietnamese scientists on an annual basis for the one-year training programme at the Bhabha atomic research centre. "This has helped Vietnam to build its human resource base in the nuclear field." India recently helped in the setting up of the Vietnam / India nuclear science centre in Dalat, north Vietnam, by providing equipment and free expert services. The centre was inaugurated last January, marking 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Both sides have agreed to "explore the possibility" of using the centre as a regional research base to conduct training programmes in nuclear science. In a separate development, Russia gave the go-ahead last month for the signing of a bilateral agreement for nuclear power co-operation between Russia and Vietnam, intended to facilitate the construction of Vietnam's first nuclear power plant. The Vietnamese government recently approved the launch of a feasibility study - to be completed by 2003 - which may pave the way for a nuclear plant to be commissioned by 2019 (see News No. 129, 4th April). Meanwhile, talks between India and Russia continue concerning the construction of two further units at the Kudankulam site in India. AEC chairman Mr Kakodkar recently said: "If anybody, including Russia, gives a proposal which is beneficial to us, we will certainly consider it. Otherwise, we have our own programme. We can put up four indigenous 700 MW units." Russia's deputy prime minister Reshet Nikov confirmed talks were still under way, adding: "I understand that it is not the best possible scenario for India to have the new technology only in two units." He said the "question will be solved" during president Vladimir Putin's visit to India later this year. Tim de Mello [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ontario, CANADA _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
