Indore: Describing the Indo-US civil nuclear deal as a "balanced agreement", noted space scientist and Rajya Sabh member, K Kasturirangan, has said international cooperation was essential for technological advancement.

"I would like to clearly say that international cooperation is essential for advancements in technology sectors. This tradition has been followed in space technology," he told reporters in Indore.

The former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief, who was in Indore to take part in the foundation day celebrations of Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), was replying to queries about viability of the deal that is facing opposition from certain quarters.

"India, in the last decade, has emerged strong in every field. I believe the proposed deal is a balanced agreement. Both the nations will benefit from it," he noted.

Asking those opposing the deal to "widen their vision", the scientist said both countries have moved forward considerably with respect to the agreement, that aims to end India's decades-old nuclear isolation.

The deal will open new doors for cooperation between India and the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Thus, the deal gains enormous importance, Kasturirangan said.

He said India was facing nuclear fuel crisis and dearth of uranium would hit affect the functioning of reactors.

To a query on patents of research work, he said New Delhi should move ahead in this regard in a planned manner as several countries are aggressively trying to get their research patented.

"We will have to collect all material associated with our research so as to nullify the fake claims."

Source : PTI