India, France at advance stage of negotiations for Maha JV

New Delhi, July 10 (PTI) India and France are at an
advance stage of negotiations for setting up of two nuclear
power plants in western Indian state of Maharashtra through a
joint venture.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and
French Nuclear company Areva are preparing a contract under
which two power plants of 1,650 MW each will be set up in
Jaitapur in Maharashtra, sources said here Friday.

Discussions are going smoothly and the contract is
expected to be finalised in about two months, they said.

The contract is being prepared on the basis of an MoU
signed between NPCIL and Areva last February.

The power plants will be built and operated by the
NPCIL with the technology and engineering help by Areva.

The crucial aspect of tariff is also being worked out
by the experts, the sources said, adding it will ensure that
the economical part of the project is taken care of.

On reprocessing, France has made it clear that the
nuclear fuel could be reprocessed by Indian facilities but if
India facilities don't have the expertise, then Paris could
consider reprocessing in France.

Regarding Pakistan, France is of the view that the
country needs foreign aid for stability and development but it
needs to be ensured that the funds are used only for
socio-economic development.

France is also wants to see to it that Pakistan
implements its commitments made with regard to ending
terrorism emanating from its soil.

India and France are also discussing upgrading the
Mirage fighters besides joint development of a short range
missile.

On NPT and CTBT, France wants to see progress so that
these pacts become universal, with India too joining these.

Regarding climate change, France favours leading
economies like India and China to put a cap on greenhouse gas
emissions as "business as usual approach" cannot continue.

It also advocates the need for legally-binding
targets, including for developed nations, to reduce emissions
by 20 per cent by 2020. PTI AKK
DDC
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