Once the US Congress clears the Indo-US nuclear deal, it would lead to a rush of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) countries to access the Indian nuclear power market, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar said on Thursday.
However, if the deal does not come through for any reason, "we will continue with our programme and the three-stage programme envisaged by Homi Bhabha will not be compromised at any stage," Kakodkar said at his first press conference after the two countries reached an understanding last week to implement the agreement.
Once the deal is cleared by the US Congress, it would open the floodgates for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to come in a big way to cater to the needs of India, the world's largest market for nuclear power, Kakodkar said.
With India's growing GDP, welcoming over 20 new reactors from outside from the NSG would increase the nuclear electricity base in the country, he said adding this is very essential as India is energy-starved.
Kakodkar said India has not compromised its indigenous nuclear programmes by signing the deal and the country's Fast Breeder programme will not be put under international safeguards at any time under the March two agreement.
{{/usCountry}}Kakodkar said India has not compromised its indigenous nuclear programmes by signing the deal and the country's Fast Breeder programme will not be put under international safeguards at any time under the March two agreement.
{{/usCountry}}Describing the Indo-US deal on civilian nuclear programme as a "very practical" one, he said India is expecting it to be cleared by the US Congress.