Kazakhstan Inks Uranium &
N-Tech Supply Pact with India

India and Kazakhstan are expected to sign a broad-based civil nuclear agreement soon, under which the uranium-rich central Asian country will supply fuel and technology to New Delhi.

India has sent a draft of the Inter Governmental Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy to Kazakhstan before the two sides ink the pact. Kazakhstan will be the fourth country after the USA, Russia and France with whom India will have such a broad-based civil nuclear agreement, since the Nuclear Suppliers Group lifted ban on New Delhi last September to have trade in this field.

"There is progress in preparation of the agreement on nuclear cooperation in peaceful uses. We are finishing up the agreement and will be sending it to Indian side," Kazakhstan's Ambassador Kairat Umarov said.

"Final touches are being given (to the text of the agreement) on our side. Soon we will pass it on to the Indian side for consideration," he said. Answering when the pact is expected to be signed, Umarov said, "if all goes well, probably by the end of first half of this year, surely".

The framework agreement will include all aspects related to nuclear power. India and Kazakhstan had initiated talks on the agreement following the visit of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to India in January. Kazakhstan, tipped to become the world's largest uranium producer, is keen to have civil nuclear cooperation with India whose industry is set to expand after the end to its 34-year isolation in the field. India and Kazakhstan are also working on forging cooperation in thermal power sector.