Sunday, November 20 2005 14:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: India is seriously negotiating with the partners of prestigious global collaborative fusion energy project, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), Institute of Plasma Research Director Prof Kaw said.

Various methodologies are being worked out by India to become an equal partner in this global project in the form of contribution of ideas and development, Kaw said at the 16th annual conference of Indian Nuclear Society here at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

India joining the ITER programme will be a milestone towards efforts to harness fusion power for the benefit of mankind, he said.

"It is better that India joins the ITER project now as the ITER partners will not allow sharing of information to non-partners later without commercial tie-up," he said.

"India could also save 15 to 20 years scientifically by participating in this international collaboration," Kaw said.

Speaking on 'prospects of Magnetic fusion', Kaw said the Indian contribution in the experimental fusion project ITER will also be in the form of components manufactured by Indian industries as part of the equal partnership. Other partners of ITER are US, European Union, Russia, Korea China and Japan.

India would contribute technological input worth Rs 2,500 crore (0.5 billion US$) over a period of ten years, while EU will contribute 50 per cent cost of the US$ five billion project which will be located in France, he added.