PM Modi signs a visitors’ book at Parliament Hill as Canadian PM(second from left) looks on during welcome ceremony.(Photo: AFP)
Canada on Wednesday agreed to supply 3,000 metric tonnes of uranium to energy-hungry India from this year under a $254 million five-year deal to power Indian reactors as the two countries decided to set in motion a new strategic partnership. The agreement for uranium supply, which came two years after protracted negotiations following the 2013 civil nuclear deal between India and Canada, was signed after comprehensive talks Prime Minister Narendra Modi had with his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper. Cameco Corporation will supply 3,000 metric tonnes of uranium over five years to India at an estimated cost of $254 million and the supply will start from this year, a top official said. Canada is the third country to supply uranium to India after Russia and Kazakhstan. The supplies will be under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. At a joint press conference with Mr Harper, Mr Modi said, “The agreement on procurement of uranium from Canada for our civilian nuclear power plants launches a new era of bilateral cooperation and a new level of mutual trust and confidence.” “The supply of uranium is important as India is keen to have clean energy. The world is worried about global warming and climate change. We want to give something to humanity through clean energy. It is costly but we are doing this for humanity. For us, uranium is not just a mineral but an article of faith and an effort to save the world from climate change,” he said in response to a question. Mr Harper said, “There have been unnecessary frosty relations for too long (between the two countries) and it is time to move ahead.” Mr Harper said, “The deal will enable India to power its growth using clean energy.” Canada had banned exports of uranium and nuclear hardware to India in the 1970s. However, the two countries turned the page in 2013 with the signing of the Canada-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, paving the way for the uranium deal. Mr Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Canada in 42 years, said the resource-rich country has the potential to be a key partner in India’s national development priority. “This is a growing relationship. Trade potential between our countries is enormous. Prime Minister Harper and I are committed to establish a new framework for economic partnership,” the Prime Minister said, adding, “Ours is a natural partnership of shared values.” “Our relationship had drifted in the past. In recent years, Prime Minister Harper’s vision and leadership changed the course of our relations. I am conscious of the significance of this visit in the history of our relations,” Mr Modi said. The Prime Minister, who is on a three-day visit to Canada, held wide-ranging discussions with Mr Harper on a host of issues covering threats posed by terrorism besides exploring the huge potential for cooperation in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and skills, smart cities, agro industries, research and education. On threats posed by terrorism, he said, “We in India felt Canada’s pain when this city was struck by a senseless act of terrorism” in October last year when a gunman attacked the Canadian Parliament, leaving one dead. “The threat of terrorism is growing; its shadow extends over cities and lives across the world. We will deepen our cooperation to combat terrorism and extremism. We will also promote a comprehensive global strategy, and consistent policy and action against all sources of terrorism and its support,” Mr Modi said. “The Parliament is a temple of democracy and any attack on the Parliament is not just an attack on a building but on democracy. All those who believe in humanism should unite to fight against terrorism. There is a need for a UN resolution to fight terrorism,” he said. “Terrorism has transcended borders. We have to unite to fight terrorism. Terrorism has no race or colour,” he added. Source: The Asian Age
