Argentina, India could jointly offer civil n-tech to third countries: Minister

NEW DELHI: Argentine foreign minister Jorge Faurie on Monday proposed that his country and India could jointly offer civil nuclear technology and satellite services to third countries as part of greater cooperation in the field of technology.

Faurie was part of the delegation that accompanied visiting President Mauricio Macri, who held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on cooperation in a wide range of areas. The two countries signed 10 agreements and Mous, including on defence cooperation, pharmaceuticals, Antarctic cooperation and civil nuclear technology.

The two countries, which have complementary capabilities in the field of nuclear energy, could develop components for nuclear plants and facilities that could be offered to third countries, Faurie told reporters. “But this technology is expensive and we may have to provide lines of credit,” he said.

Argentina has considerable expertise in developing small and medium size nuclear power plants with capacities ranging from 30 MW to 100 MW, he added.

Faurie reiterated Argentina’s support for entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the elite club that controls trade in atomic technology and know-how. He suggested that the two countries could also jointly offer their capabilities in building satellites, especially India’s expertise in nano-satellites, to third countries.

Faurie also invited Indian firms to invest in exploiting Argentina’s lithium reserves in view of India’s plans to have 30% of all cars powered by electricity by 2030.

THE ARGENTINE FOREIGN MINISTER SUGGESTED THE TWO COUNTRIES COULD JOINTLY OFFER THEIR CAPABILITIES IN BUILDING SATELLITES