India, Kazakhstan to cooperate in extraction of uranium

ALMATY. February 9. KAZINFORM India and Kazakhstan are expected to engage in joint extraction of natural uranium in this central Asian country after the two sides conclude the proposed inter-governmental agreement for cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The two sides have signed a memorandum envisaging cooperation in "joint extraction of natural uranium" in Kazakhstan" apart from delivery of fuel for reactors in India, Mukhtar Dzhakishev, President of the National Atomic company Kazatomprom was quoted as saying by 'Khabar' news agency. His comments follow Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev's visit to India from January 23 to 26. During his visit, both sides noted that there were immense possibilities of cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector, including in the mining of uranium. They welcomed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Nuclear Power Corporation of India and Kazatomprom and recommended early conclusion of an inter-governmental agreement for cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear Energy. The MoU came months after the 45-member NSG ended India's 34-year-old nuclear isolation, allowing it to resume the atomic trade with the international community. Dzhakishev said that Kazatomprom's plans relating to India will be materialised in one month after signing of bilateral treaty on use of atomic energy in peaceful purposes, Kazinform cites Press Trust of India.