Sunday, July 10 2005 14:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Onboard Special Aircraft: US President George W Bush appeared to be inclined to forge a co-operation with India on nuclear energy, which is expected to figure prominently when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits Washington next weekend.

This was indicated by Singh, who said that in the recent G-8 meeting at Gleneagles, Bush had endorsed the need to help India in the civilian nuclear programme to promote energy security.

Singh had an opportunity to meet Bush at the G-8 summit on Thursday (July 7, 2005) when he reminded the US President about the need to pursue nuclear co-operation for energy security to sustain high 7-8 per cent growth particularly in the face of surging global oil prices.

"I talked to President Bush and he said India needs to be helped in the field of nuclear energy," Singh said.

The issue of energy security had figured prominently when the Prime Minister had met Bush in Moscow in November last year.

Singh recalled about this issue during the outreach meeting with G8 and Bush had acknowledged it.

India is currently engaged in energy dialogue with both the EU and the US.

Analysts said it is quite likely that the US may take steps towards removing certain restrictions that still existed in forging nuclear cooperation for peaceful purposes as there is a growing recognition that India is a responsible nuclear power.

The theme of G-8 the summit was to promote clean energy and sustainable development. Developing countries like India and China have to grow by 7-8 per cent on a sustained basis to eradicate poverty in the next one or two decades, analysts said.

To sustain such high growth rate, India would have to develop massive power generating capacity. It would have to pursue hydel and nuclear power programmes, which are two main sources of clean energy.

Analysts said India would require massive investments to pursue its hydel power programmes, which have the potential to generate additional 50,000 MW power.

Nuclear energy is yet another source where cooperation between India and the US could promote clean energy further.

To promote hydel power massive investments are required for which international agencies and multilateral institutions should help in extending concessional assistance or interest free loans in a bid to work towards the goal of clean energy and sustainable development, analysts said.

Over the years India has also acquired capabilities in advanced nuclear technology and the fact that India is a nuclear power cannot be wished away, they said.