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The Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. Anil Kakodkar said that Global nuclear renaissance is now a reality. Addressing the International Atomic Energy Agency, 49th General Conference, Vienna yesterday, he said that the issues related to global climate change, sustainability of energy resources while meeting the ever increasing energy needs to support economic development and concerns regarding escalating trends in fuel prices, point to the inevitability of nuclear power.
Dr. Kakodkar said that a large fraction of future energy needs of India coming from nuclear power would be of immense benefit, in the context of environment and sustainability concerns, for India as well as for the rest of the world. Nuclear energy is thus an important and inevitable option for India.
Quoting from the address by Prime Minister during the Golden Jubilee Function of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the launch of construction of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam on 23rd October, 2004, he said: “India is a responsible nuclear power. We are fully conscious of the immense responsibilities that come with the possession of advanced technologies, both civilian and strategic.”
Dr. Kakodkar called upon other advanced nuclear powers, and all those who have a stake in the future of nuclear energy, to come together for a constructive dialogue to evolve more effective measures that would stem the tide of proliferation without unduly constraining the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The Chairman Atomic Energy Commission said that constraining those who are responsible, amounts, in effect, to rewarding those who are irresponsible. The international community must face up to the implications of this choice. We in India are willing to shoulder our share of international obligations provided our legitimate interests are met. India has actively embraced globalisation. There is no reason why nuclear energy production should be an exception.”
Referring to the statements of USA and France on this podium and the positive and cooperative approach of several key countries in this regard, he said that we look forward to a cooperative approach of several key countries in this regard.
The Chairman, Dr. Anil Kakodkar said that India is keen to see a rapid increase in nuclear power generation capacity in India well above the planned programme of achieving 20,000 MW by the year 2020.
IAEA is the world's center of cooperation in the nuclear field and was set up as the world's "Atoms for Peace" organization within the United Nations family. The Agency has well established mechanisms to realise the full potential of atoms for sustainable development. The challenge before us is to channelise this enormous potential to world peace and prosperity while preventing its destructive use by irresponsible state and non-state actors, he said.
NK/SPS/MK.
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