GUWAHATI: India and the United States of America have agreed to build six American nuclear power plants in India in an effort to boost bilateral civil nuclear energy cooperation.
In a joint statement issued at the end of the 9th round of India-US Strategic Dialogue, the two countries have said that “they (are) committed to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six U.S. nuclear power plants in India.”
This dialogue was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary, Vijay Gokhale and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Andrea Thompson on March 13.
A historic agreement was signed by the two countries in 2008 to cooperate in civil nuclear energy sector. The deal gave a boost to bilateral ties which have been on the rise since.
The U.S. also reaffirmed its strong support to India’s early membership in the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). However, China has blocked India’s pending membership to the elite group that seeks to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.