PM Narendra Modi, Joe Biden may try to sort out civil nuclear irritants
Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden will discuss possible steps to overcome differences on civil nuclear issues when they meet in New Delhi on September 8, according to people familiar with the matter, as India's nuclear liability law remains a concern for the American nuclear industry since the nuclear deal was signed in October 2008.
The American side is exploring options on how to work with India's nuclear liability law, said the people.
During Prime Minister Modi's visit to the US in June, both sides underscored the important role nuclear energy plays in global decarbonisation efforts and affirmed nuclear energy as a necessary resource to meet climate, energy transition and energy security needs.
The leaders noted ongoing negotiations between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited and Westinghouse Electric Company for the construction of six nuclear reactors in India. «They welcomed intensified consultations between the U.S.
DOE and India's DAE for facilitating opportunities for WEC to develop a techno-commercial offer for the Kovvada nuclear project. They also noted the ongoing discussion on developing next generation small modular reactor technologies in a collaborative mode for the domestic market as well as for export,» said the joint statement released at the end of the visit.
Since US President George Bush Jr, every US President has attempted to implement the deal but issues including the bankruptcy of Westinghouse Electric Company and liability emerged as stumbling blocks.
