‘International cooperation will help meet n-fuel needs’

Without referring to the civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States, which continues to be in a state of dormancy, Kakodkar said such an international cooperation would help in bridging the gap between demand and supply of nuclear fuel earlier than if the country remained dependent on domestic supplies.

Kakodkar acknowledged that there was a ‘mismatch’ between the demand and supply of uranium but expressed confidence that this would be rectified soon. “There is a mismatch and we are taking action on that. The gap exists because we have been increasing our installed capacities,” Kakodkar told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

Kakodkar’s statement once again underlines the fact that the delay in the operationalisation of the Indo-US nuclear deal is a cause of major concern. As reported in The Indian Express last month, a shortage in supplies of nuclear fuel has resulted in a decline of operating capacities of a majority of nuclear power plants as compared to last year.