Sergei V Kirienko
head of the Russian Federal Agency for Atomic Energy (or Rosatom)
New Delhi
11 April 2006
How did your talks with Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr Anil Kakodkar go? What are the outcomes, if any, from your visit?
This is my first visit. It was undertaken specifically to visit the site of the Kudankulam nuclear power plants. The main purpose [of my visit] was to personally see the progress of the construction works there and to also talk to Dr Kakodkar and others about the speedy implementation of the project. [Our two countries] can do a great amount of work together, [so] some significant decisions have been taken. There are good prospects and opportunities for cooperation given the strategic partnership that exists between India and Russia in the nuclear energy sphere. The priority task is to develop [relations] in all spheres of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The specific decisions in regard to new areas of cooperation can be taken after the Nuclear Suppliers Group amends its guidelines to allow trade in civilian nuclear technology and materials with India. The format for cooperation with India has to be changed and international norms and obligations agreed upon before that (nuclear trade) can happen. We fully support the move to amend the NSG guidelines. We think the NSG needs to change its attitude towards India [because] India has an impeccable reputation on nonproliferation.
You mentioned certain significant decisions were arrived at and about prospects and opportunities for cooperation. Would you elaborate?
Those decisions relate to coordinating and raising the effectiveness of our joint activities in Kudankulam. We also discussed future cooperation in the nuclear sphere. Russia and India have ambitious nuclear energy programmes. India is showing the right example that true energy security cannot be provided without developing nuclear power. The example shown by India can be followed by other countries. Russia has considerable experience in building fast breeder reactors and in [procuring] Uranium-238 for the fast breeder reactors. There are prospects for joint [activities] in the future. There is also the interesting involvement of thorium as fuel for nuclear power plants.
Were any agreements signed during your visit?
[We] do not require agreements because we have a framework of bilateral agreements in force. There is an agreement between our two governments and there are contracts between the companies. We share the same position with [India] on nuclear power and nuclear nonproliferation ... agreements can be signed after the international norms have been adjusted by the NSG. We will do everything to adjust the NSG rules in favour of India ....
Does competition worry you because there are other countries that are equally if not more interested?
Competition does not worry us, in fact competition is good. India has a large nuclear energy programme. We have great respect for that programme. The preliminary plans of India are for adding 40 giga-watt capacity from thermal reactors and 300 giga-watt from fast breeder reactors. This is a huge programme and any player that can offer competitive technology can participate. There is a large scope for cooperation.
What role do you foresee for Russian involvement and participation in India's nuclear energy industry?
Russia is already helping the Indian nuclear energy industry. The Kudankulam nuclear power plants currently under construction is a remarkable project. When commissioned, they will be a matter of pride for [both countries.] There are a number of new, updated technological decisions that have been incorporated in this project and Russian involvement in the joint activities is possible in the future too. Russia and India are strategic partners; they have not become strategic partners, they are already.
Would you give a sense of of the status of Russian cooperation in the Kudankulam atomic power plants? How soon will the power plants become operational?
We have set up a joint working group. Its goal will be to monitor and review the pace of progress and additional resources and to also take decisions to improve the efficiency of the project. We expect it to be commissioned as soon as possible while fully adhering to the safety norms. On safety, all possible threats have to be taken into account. We attach utmost priority to this aspect and have taken care to include events not taken into account before, like the tsunamis that occurred in 2004. I will say the Kudankulam plants have excellent safety features because the tsunamis [have had] no consequences on the site where the plants are located.
India is planning to have more nuclear reactors. In regard to future collaboration with Russia, did you receive any assurance or commitment from the Indian side?
No ... no commitments but we are ready to continue our cooperation. We have the accumulated experience of building nuclear reactors and there are positive plans for further cooperation. We are ready for this.
How is Russia's involvement in the Iran nuclear issue progressing?
Our position on Iran is a principled one. Iran has the right to develop civilian nuclear energy; that is the indisputable right of any country. At the same time, the world has the unconditional right to demand guarantees under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty regime. The task ahead is to combine these two rights. We believe it is possible. The proposal by Russia deals with joint ventures in Russia to enrich [nuclear] fuel. It is an attempt to combine [the two positions.] It is possible to take steps to implement peaceful uses of nuclear energy for Iran. The same objective is behind the international initiatives of the Russian president because the essence behind those initiatives are the two technical elements of the nuclear fuel cycle: One, uranium enrichment and two, spent fuel [reprocessing.] Our approach to Iran is based on this principle [and] our general approach [even otherwise] is to develop nuclear nuclear energy around the world.
Russia is proposing the establishment of international nuclear fuel centres for carrying out the nuclear fuel cycle. Would you explain your position and how you intend to go about it?
Russia has proposed the setting up of international fuel centres to combine these two technical elements of the nuclear fuel cycle I just now mentioned. This proposal is therefore a combined proposal; the objective is to combine [the two technical elements.] The essence of the Russian proposal is to set up international fuel centres for enriching uranium and reprocessing the spent fuel as new countries take the first step towards harnessing nuclear power for meeting energy needs. These countries will be assured of guaranteed supplies of low enriched uranium. They will send the spent fuel to these centres which will function as joint ventures under the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). This systematic approach will help new countries gain access to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Moreover, the countries that receive the services of these centres will not only get guaranteed supplies of fuel but also a share from the proceeds of the activities. They may also become co-founders of such [joint venture] projects and get a share from the proceeds. Also, the international community will be able to exercise its right to guarantee protection from nuclear proliferation and weapons of mass destruction. Having said that, the solution for problems should be found by diplomatic means.
What are your views on the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership proposed by the United States?
[Russian President Vladimir] Putin proposed the setting up of international fuel centres and [US President George] Bush later proposed the GNEP. We believe these two [proposals] can be combined [because] they have the same objectives. Today experts from Russia and the US are actively involved in the work of [evolving] joint approaches to various issues. Our principles and approaches coincide; only minor technical issues need to be finalised.
Do you see a scope for collaboration with India in making nuclear energy technology available in third countries?
Yes, it is certainly possible. There is a very good scope [for that.] India is already a member of the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project. We must appreciate that there is a serious meaning behind the term strategic partnership between India and Russia. We have the joint experience and an excellent history of cooperation. [Our two countries] have accomplished a great amount of work [together.]
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