Why in the News
Narendra Modi and Mark Carney announced a 1.9 billion dollar, 10 year uranium supply agreement during bilateral talks in New Delhi, alongside renewed efforts to conclude a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Key Highlights for Prelims
1. Uranium Supply Agreement
- Supplier: Cameco
- Quantity: ~10,000 tonnes
- Duration: 2027 to 2035
- Value: 1.9 billion dollars
- Purpose: Fuel for Indian nuclear power reactors
- Earlier deal: 2,700 tonnes between 2015 and 2020.
2. CEPA Negotiations
- Terms of Reference issued.
- Target: Conclude CEPA within 2026.
- Aim: Double bilateral trade by 2030.
3. Strategic Energy Partnership
- Covers: Uranium supply, Renewable energy, LPG, and Critical and emerging technologies
- Canada to join: International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuel Alliance.
4. Security Cooperation
- Joint Working Group on Counterterrorism to meet soon.
- Focus on violent extremism and organised crime.
Diplomatic Context
- Ties strained after allegations linked to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
- India rejected fresh allegations by Canadian agencies.
- Visit aimed at rebuilding “strategic trust”.
| [2020] In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA Safeguards” while others are not?
(a) Some use uranium and others use thorium (b) Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies (c) Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic (d) Some are State-owned and others are privately-owned |
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