Washington, Jan 21: A delegation of American nuclear
companies, currently on a business exploratory trip to India,
is reported to find difficulties in either setting up nuclear
reactors or sell nuke fuel to India.
It would take two to three years to overcome the
bureaucratic hurdles, complete commercial negotiations and
sign the contract, The Washington Post said, quoting
executives of the largest ever American nuclear business
delegation to India.
Ted Jones, director US-India Business Council, said Anil
Kakodkar, chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, told the
delegation that commercial ties can commence only after talks
about reprocessing rights are concluded.
"This means that some of the American nuclear fuel
suppliers will not be able to make some very near-term sales
of uranium to India directly. And India needs fuel
desperately," Jones was quoted as saying.
"But the official was clearly using this as a leverage to
get the reprocessing rights," he said.
India not having laws covering liability and patent
protection is another hurdle for the US companies to do
business with New Delhi. French and Russia are ahead of the
US, as they do not need such restrictions, the Post said.
"The liability law is a major initiative and cannot be
rushed just because American companies are in a hurry. India
is a democracy, and there will be a thorough Parliament debate
and approval. There is not enough time before the election to
do this," Mabel Rebello, a lawmaker who met the delegation,
was quoted as saying.
"The simple reality is that the French and the Russians
are ahead of us. They know the sites that have been identified
for them to set up business," R Michael Gadbaw, a member of
the delegation and a professor at the Georgetown University
Law Center said.
After nearly three years of negotiations, India and US
signed the landmark agreement for civilian nuclear cooperation
last year. US companies, who played a major role in its quick
passage by the Congress, were hoping that the deal would
result in bagging them quick business deals in India. However
the US nuclear business delegation is now reporting that it is
facing hurdles in going ahead.
Bureau Report
