India may consider joint
exploration with the Namibian government for uranium. India has not received even
an ounce of uranium under a deal signed with Namibia six
years ago.
No
government-to-government trade is currently possible because the mines are
privately owned in Namibia. The government can
not impose any decision on the mines. Uranium in Namibia can be acquired
through licences. In such a scenario there is a positive side. India can negotiate
with existing companies that are mining uranium in Namibia. India and Namibia
can also collaborate via a joint exploration project. Indian government has the
aim of promoting clean energy and due to this aim India needs uranium.
Namibia
and India signed an agreement for cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of
nuclear energy in 2009. Uranium being sent to India is not subject to the
embargo on international nuclear trade. Both the governments are working hard
for starting this supply as soon as possible.
There
are two uranium-rich nations in Africa — Namibia and Niger. Both have offered
to supply the nuclear fuel to India. India’s negotiations are on with two of
the largest producers of uranium —Canada and Australia. India's domestic
uranium is inadequate to fully feed the indigenous small and mid-size reactors.
That is why India is forced to woo these uranium producing nations.
No comments:
Post a Comment