US Company signed a deal on nuclear power with India

Washington: US-based power firm Westinghouse Electric Co. has signed a deal on nuclear power with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. aimed at the future construction of a nuclear power plant in Gujarat state.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, holding annual talks with India, said that the two countries were entering a “new and more mature phase” in relations where they worked closely on the world’s major issues, AFP reported. She is co-chairing with Indian External Affairs S.M. Krishna at the opening session of the annual India-US strategic dialogue.

IANS reported quoted Clinton as saying that though there were still differences over India’s nuclear liability law, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) represented significant progress toward the realisation of the landmark 2008 India-US civil nuclear agreement. “There is less need today for the dramatic breakthroughs that marked earlier phases, but more need for steady, focused cooperation.”

Westinghouse said it would be negotiating an agreement for preliminary licensing and site development work for plants at the Mithivirdi site in Gujarat calling it an important step toward keeping the project moving forward.

India has reserved two sites for US power companies to set up nuclear power plants under the nuclear deal. But US suppliers have been reluctant to come forward because of concerns over India’s tough nuclear liability law.