India and Korea will soon commence negotiations on forging a nuclear energy cooperation pact, Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said on
Friday.
Noting that both sides have made "rapid progress" to move towards a framework for cooperation in civil nuclear energy, the minister said, "Our two countries will soon commence negotiations on an Agreement for the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy."
Krishna, who is on an official visit to Korea, was addressing a gathering at the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security (IFANS) in Seoul on strengthening India-ROK strategic partnership.
The continued growth of the Indian economy will need to be increasingly powered by new and renewable energy sources, including nuclear energy, which are non-polluting and contribute to international efforts to control climate change,
he said, adding, "We look forward to deepening our cooperation with the Republic of Korea in civil nuclear energy."
The issue figured during a meeting Krishna had with his Korean counterpart Yu Myung-Hwan.
"My visit is aimed at consolidating and expanding our ever closer ties....I have been able to call on President Lee and hold wide-ranging, intense and fruitful discussions with
my counterpart Foreign Minister Yu Myung-Hwan," the minister said.