India and Argentina on Wednesday signed a civil nuclear cooperation and nine other pacts after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. The Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy was signed by Vivek Katju,Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs and Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Talana. Argentina became the seventh country with which India has signed a civil nuclear agreement after the Nuclear Suppliers Group lifted a 34-year-old ban on nuclear commerce in September last year. Taking into account their respective capabilities and experience in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy,both India and Argentina have agreed to encourage and support scientific,technical and commercial cooperation for mutual benefit in this field, a statement said. India and Argentina also signed pacts on business visas,cooperation in science and technology and outer space. Memoranda of Understanding were signed in hydrocarbon sector,sports,trade and geological research. The two leaders agreed to work towards enhancing bilateral investments in various sectors,including in knowledge-based industries and agro-industries.
