China says willing to cooperate with India on nuclear power

China has expressed willingness to cooperate with India in the sensitive nuclear power sector under the guidelines of the UN nuclear watchdog and other concerned international agencies. ‘‘My personal feeling is that cooperation can be carried out with India as long as nuclear technology is for the purpose of economic growth and is guided by relevant rules and regulations of International Atomic Energy Agency and other concerned agencies,’’ general manager of the China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC), Kang Rixin told a press conference here.

At the same time, Kang denied any links with the clandestine nuclear programmes of Iran, North Korea or Libya. He also asserted that CNNC’s cooperation with Pakistan was only for ‘‘peaceful purposes’’. Construction of a 300 megawatt Chinese-made nuclear power plant in Pakistan is expected to begin as early as the end of this year. —PTI