Sarkozy lays stress on nuke ties

The dinner was without the elaborate “Obama frills” with little engagement with civil society, celebrities, academics or intellectuals.  

Manmohan Singh and Sarkozy held one-on-one talks for nearly half-an-hour before they joined the rest for the dinner. Senior French ministers were also present.

Sarkozy spoke about taking civil nuclear cooperation to new heights, but expressed concerns of French nuclear giants like Areva about some aspects of the civil nuclear liability law, informed sources said. He also spoke about the need for India to bring its liability rules and procedures in line with international regulations like the Vienna convention, sources added.

Even though nuclear issues will be one of the highlights of Sarkozy’s official discussion with Manmohan Singh, uncertainty still looms on the finalisation of a commercial pact between French major Areva and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd on the purchase of first two 1,650 revolutionary power reactor. The French company is uncomfortable with the new nuclear liability law and may prefer to wait till rules—based on the act—are clearly elaborated. At the moment, there is lack of clarity on “supplier’s liability” and the operator’s “right to recourse.”

Besides liability issues, safety of the reactors and ecological and land acquisition issues connected to the site—Jaitapur in Maharashtra—may come in the way of successful installation of India’s first two EPRs. The site has recently received approval from the Union Environment Ministry.

Singh and Sarkozy shared views on issues like reform of international financial institutions, climate change and non-proliferation. The President sought India’s support for achieving key goals of the G20 grouping.

The Prime Minister allayed France’s fear over India’s passage of a civil nuclear liability law, and spoke about the country’s ambitious plan for expanding nuclear energy production.
The real business between the two sides will start on Tuesday when the French President and his delegation have several meetings.

The French President’s wife will, however, be busy in her separate engagements, including meeting Aids patients. Bruni is also expected to go on a shopping spree in Delhi, sources said.