India, Canada conclude nuclear deal

Export uranium to India.

This is what Canadian companies can now do as a result of the conclusion of the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement signed by the two countries in 2010.

The deal, once implemented, is expected to boost India's plans to enhance its nuclear capacity in order to meet rising energy demands.

The agreement will end a ban on nuclear exports to India, which was implemented in 1976 after India secretly exploded its first nuclear bomb in 1974 using material from a Canadian-built reactor in India.

"The conclusion of the Administrative Arrangement with India will facilitate opportunities for Canadian companies to play a greater role in meeting India's growing energy needs," said Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

"Canada with its large and high quality reserves of uranium could become an important supplier to the Indian nuclear power programme," said a joint statement by Harper and India PM Manmonhan Singh.

Last month, the Australian state of Queensland lifted a 23-year ban on uranium exports to India, a decision experts say could pump up to $900 million into the economy.

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