India, Russia to sign Koodankulam deal

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW, NOV. 2. An agreement on Russia's participation in the construction of a nuclear power plant in Koodankulam, Tamil Nadu, will be signed during the visit of the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, to Moscow from November 4 to 7, a Russian news agency said.

The RIA Novosti agency quoted Russia's Atomic Energy Minister, Mr. Alexander Rumyantsev, as saying on Thursday that the two sides would sign a framework accord during the coming visit, while the concrete parameters of Russia's involvement in the project would be laid down in a contract to be signed later.

Under the agreement, Russia would be responsible for designing the plant and supply of equipment, machinery and material. In addition, it would supply fuel and spare parts for the entire life of the plant. It had also agreed to open a $2.6-billion creditline for the construction.

India has already scrutinised the detailed project report and the techno-commercial offer submitted by the Russians. The Koodankulam project is the largest construction to be implemented with Russia's participation in several decades. It envisages construction of two reactors of 1,000 mw of VVER pressurised water design. The first unit would be completed in 2007 and the second a year later.

Earlier this year, Russia offered to build four more reactors at Koodankulam, which was welcomed by India. However, to do that Russia must overcome restrictions imposed by the Nuclear Suppliers Group on the supply of reactors and material as India has refused to place its nuclear programmes under ``full-scope safeguards'' of the IAEA.

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Section  : International
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