India and France today stopped short of a formal agreement on civilian nuclear energy cooperation, with the outcome of the Indo-US nuclear deal holding the key to realising this agreement at a later date.The two countries signed a declaration instead, announcing their intent to reach such an agreement in the future. This, however, is on the condition that it will be in line with their respective “international commitments”.At a joint press conference with French President Jacques Chirac, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made it clear that all future reactors obtained through international cooperation will be under international safeguards. This clearly indicates that New Delhi does not plan to put all future reactors under safeguards.Singh also made it clear that India was committed to honour in “letter and spirit” the July 18 Indo-US joint statement which requires India to voluntarily separate its civilian and military nuclear reactors and sign a safeguards agreement with the IAEA.The future of the Indo-French agreement also hinges on the success of New Delhi’s negotiations with Washington. France is clear that any cooperation with India must be in line with French commitments to the Nuclear Suppliers Group. So, once the Indo-US deal comes through, it will strengthen India’s case for an exemption by the NSG.India will also be looking for support from France in convincing the NSG when the time comes. Paris was keen that an agreement be signed during the visit, underlining Indian commitments and making a better NSG case.Signalling that a future pact would augur well for French companies, India made it known it was open to the idea of these firms carrying out feasibility studies once NSG restrictions go.Some areas of cooperation which the two sides are working on include: • Basic and applied research• Nuclear energy applications in various sectors, including power generation• Nuclear waste management n Exchange as well as training of scientific and technical staff• Joint research and development activities“Our support to India is principled support.India must be allowed to achieve its necessary economic development without facing the stranglehold of economic and energy constraints,” said Chirac. He also made it clear that France was not driven by economic considerations while pursuing this agreement with India. This was appreciated by Singh who had an hour-long one-on-one meeting with Chirac.Both sides signed nine agreements, including a framework agreement on defence cooperation, including the formation of an armaments procurement group. Meanwhile, Airbus Industrie and Indian Airlines also signed an agreement for purchase of 43 aircraft at a cost of $2 billion.
