A.F.D. welcomes N.S.G. waiver for India

New Delhi, Sept 10 (PTI) The French Development Agency (AFD) Wednesday welcomed the Nuclear Suppliers Group (N.S.G.) waiver for India paving way for its participation in the international nuclear commerce.

"We welcome the fact that the N.S.G. has changed is position to provide India access to global nuclear trade," A.F.D. Chief Executive Officer Jean-Michel Severino told reporters here.

A.F.D, the French bilateral development agency, promotes
projects in the field of clean technologies, energy efficiency
and climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives.

Severino said the N.S.G. waiver will help India diversify
its energy basket which is essential for such a large country.

"No country can rely on a single source of energy. India
will have to go for nuclear energy, biomass, coking coal,
solar, wind power and geothermal sources of energy," he said.

Severino said France is quite supportive of the Indo-U.S.
civil nuclear cooperation agreement.

A.F.D. looks forward to begin its operational phase here
after an agreement between India and France to further
strengthen development cooperation.

The issue is likely to be a part of bilateral discussions
during the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to
France later this month. PTI SKU