NEW DELHI – Canada wants to sell nuclear reactors to India. Putting behind a
troubled nuclear history with India, Canadian foreign minister John Baird said,
“We have turned the page with India. India is a very different country today.”
With Canada emerging as an energy superpower, buoyed by a thriving economy, the
minister said, “We value and welcome Indian investment in natural resources and
energy.”
Baird is in New Delhi to meet foreign minister S M Krishna and prepare for a
November summit visit by Canadian PM Stephen Harper.
A nuclear deal between Canada and India signed in 2010 is yet to be
operationalized, waiting for a follow-up end-user agreement. After meeting Baird
on Wednesday, Krishna said, “We also look forward to early completion of
negotiations on Appropriate Arrangements for the bilateral Civil Nuclear
Cooperation Agreement signed in 2010.”
Acknowledging that the agreement was “actively discussed”, Baird said, “We’re
readying an end-user pact with India, same thing we have with 42 countries.
We’re not asking for or imposing any additional obligations on India.”
Canada is emerging as a favourite source for energy and resources for India. New Delhi wants to buy oil and gas from Canada especially after abundant oil finds from its tar sands. Baird said Canada was ready to supply oil and gas to India from its oilfields in the west as well as the east. India is trying to use Canada as a route to ship out US oil and gas as well.
The two nations are also working on a bilateral investment protection pact and a comprehensive economic partnership agreement. Baird said, “This is very important for Canadian firms and investors.”
With separatist Khalistan activities growing in parts of Canada, both nations are teaming up to fight terrorism. Baird said, “Our political director has been here, meeting officials. Our two countries have the same end while fighting terrorism.”
Posted by Alisa Fishel
Should America be worried of this connection Canada is making with India? not really a fan.
ReplyDelete-Matt Cypher
If I remember right, Canada is working out a deal (Someone to monitor India) that would prevent the uranium being converted into nuclear weapons. Canada doesn't want what happened in the '70's when they made nuclear weapons from Canada's sell to India.
ReplyDelete-Shawn
Matt, I agree with you. Should we be worried? If India gets nuclear weapons from Canada, they could possibly distribute them out to other countries. So even though Canada is going to make a profit, its not very smart of them, or considerate for their surrounding neighbors, like America.
ReplyDelete(Addison D)
It's so difficult to walk the fine line between energy and weaponry. Nuclear energy can be a good thing but when given to places of the world that are known to have extreme conflicts with countries like Pakistan, there are many things to worry about.
ReplyDelete(Rachel B)
I don't think they should sell the weapons to India. I agree that they could distribute them to their surrounding neighbors causing issues for the U.S.-Kylen H.
ReplyDeleteIndia is our good ally in that area of the world. We dont really have to worry much about them "distributing" nuclear power in that region. India doesn't have good relations with many of the other nations that we would worry about potentially having nuclear power. Countries like Pakistan and China already have nuclear power, and India wouldn't "distribute" nuclear power to nations like Afghanistan or other nations in close proximity, so I believe that it is fine for Canada to be making deals with India. They are two good allies, so we should trust in them.
ReplyDelete-Maximilian Castelli