NEW DELHI: Long-term cooperation in the supply of Kazakh uranium for nuclear reactors will help in solving India’s power demand, said Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev here yesterday.
“Long-term cooperation (in supply of uranium) will lead to the solving of India’s problem of power,” he said in his address at a business meet jointly organized by industry chambers.
Nazarbayev is in India on a four-day state visit. As part of the trip, India and Kazakhstan signed five agreements, including for cooperation in nuclear energy, hydrocarbons and space research.
The two countries also signed yesterday an agreement for cooperation between state-run Nuclear Power Corp. and uranium production company KazAtomProm. Kazakhstan is among the world’s top suppliers of uranium after Australia and Canada.
Nazarbayev said the visit to India as chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations marks improved bilateral ties. “We reached new level of interaction. It should give new beginning to mutual relationship,” said Nazarbayev. He also released the Hindi edition of his book, “Kazakhstan’s Way”.
Earlier during the event, industry lobby Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and its Kazakh counterpart, Atameken Union, signed an agreement for creating a joint economic council.
“We hope to extend the political ties into greater economic cooperation, which at present stands at minuscule figures of $180 million,” said Atameken Union chairman Azat Peruashev.
The two countries signed four other agreements including an extradition treaty after delegation-level talks between Nazarbayev and an Indian delegation led by Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Mukherjee represented India as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh underwent bypass surgery in a Delhi hospital.
This is India’s fourth nuclear cooperation pact with another country following agreements with France, the US and Russia last year. Other deals signed yesterday included an agreement for cooperation on space research programs, while oil majors ONGC Mittal Energy of India and National Co KazmunaiG (KMG) of Kazakhstan signed an agreement for exploration in the Satpayev block in the Caspian Sea.
The five agreements were signed in presence of President Pratibha Patil and Nazarbayev. “These agreements are very important for the stature of our bilateral relations,” Nazarbayev said after talks. Earlier in the morning, Mukherjee stepped in for Manmohan to receive Nazarbayev at a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Receiving the visiting dignitary, Mukherjee explained that the prime minister was indisposed. “Our prime minister is indisposed, hence I am receiving you,” he said. After Nazarbayev inspected the guard of honor, Mukherjee introduced him to the members of the Indian Cabinet.
Mukherjee will also lead the delegation-level talks with the Kazakh president, which is usually co-chaired by the prime minister. The venue of the talks have also been shifted from Hyderabad House to Rashtrapati Bhawan.
