Time ripe for India to market own technologies, says PM

After having paved the way for accessing international nuclear technology through the civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States...

After having paved the way for accessing international nuclear technology through the civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said it was now time for India to market its own technology in the global community.

Exhorting the Indian scientific community to continue its indigenous research in the field of nuclear technology, Manmohan Singh said a number of friendly countries had already expressed interest in Indian technologies. 8220;We should use the opportunities offered by international cooperation to accelerate our R038;D programme,8221; the Prime Minister said at the launch of the birth centenary celebrations of Dr Homi Jahangir Bhabha from here through video-conferencing.

8220;In the area of nuclear science and engineering, development in India has been taking place in isolation. Many innovations developed by our scientists may not have any parallels in other countries,8221; he said.

8220;As we open up to new technologies from abroad, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India should continue to develop the market for these reactors both in India and abroad. I understand there is interest among a number of friendly countries in this regard. Our scientists and engineers have shown that they can compete with the very best in the world,8221; he added.

As the country looked ahead at expanding its nuclear power programme, the Prime Minister said it must redouble its efforts at developing indigenous manufacturing capabilities as well. 8220;It will be necessary for foreign energy firms to manufacture nuclear equipment in India. This will boost our manufacturing industry. Our industry has the capability to emerge as an important player in the global market for nuclear equipment,8221; he said.

Referring to the recently concluded civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with the US, the PM said it had 8220;removed the restraints that have hindered the atomic energy programme in the past8221;.

8220;The civil nuclear initiative is a good deal. It will open up new avenues of cooperation. The integrity of our three-stage programme will not be affected. The autonomy of our research and development activity, including development of our fast breeder reactors and the thorium programme, in the nuclear field will remain unaffected. There will be no interference in any scrutiny of our strategic programme,8221; he said.