India And Japan Sign Landmark Civil Nuclear Agreement

India and Japan today (11 November) signed a landmark civil nuclear agreement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Tokyo to meet with Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, for the annual bilateral summit.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson tweeted:

The agreement would involve the development of nuclear power plants in India, and therefore the strengthening of India’s energy security. This also paves the way for greater energy cooperation between Indian and Japanese industries in the field of civil nuclear energy. More specifically, Japan will now be able to supply nuclear reactors, fuel and technology to India.

This agreement took a long time coming. Tokyo had reservations about signing a civil nuclear deal with India since the latter is not a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Nevertheless, India has declared a moratorium on nuclear testing since its last explosions in 1998.

Abe is also said to have extended his support for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. This prompted Prime Minister Modi to thank him.

The signing of this deal between India and Japan is significant in light of the growing might and aggressive posturing of China, which affects both countries.

(With inputs from IANS)