Nuke energy, a viable source for meeting global energy needs: PM

Washington, (ANI): Acknowledging nuclear security as one of the foremost challenges facing the world community today, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Tuesday hoped that the Summit on Nuclear Security would lead to concrete outcomes and make the world a safer place.   

During his address at the summit, Dr. Singh also highlighted the benefits of nuclear know-how, particularly nuclear energy.

"The developmental applications of nuclear science in areas such as medicine, agriculture, food preservation and availability of fresh water are by now well established. Today, nuclear energy has emerged as a viable source of energy to meet the growing needs of the world in a manner that is environmentally sustainable," he said.

"In India, we have ambitious plans for using nuclear energy to meet our growing energy needs. Our target is to increase our installed capacity more than seven fold to 35000 MWe by the year 2022, and to 60,000 MWe by 2032," he added.  

Lauding the safety record of the nuclear industry over the last few years, he said that while it has "helped to restore public faith in nuclear power, safety alone, is not enough."

"The challenge we face today is that of ensuring nuclear security. The danger of nuclear explosives or fissile material and technical know-how falling in to the hands of non-state actors continues to haunt our world. India is deeply concerned about the danger it faces, as do other States, from this threat," Dr. Singh said.

India, he said, has since 2002, piloted a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly on measures to deny terrorists access to Weapons of Mass Destruction.  

"We fully support the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 and the United Nations Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.  The primary responsibility for ensuring nuclear security rests at the national level, but national responsibility must be accompanied by responsible behaviour by States.  If not, it remains an empty slogan," the Prime Minister said.  

"All States should scrupulously abide by their international obligations.  It is a matter of deep regret that the global non-proliferation regime has failed to prevent nuclear proliferation. Clandestine proliferation networks have flourished and led to insecurity for all, including and especially for India.  We must learn from past mistakes and institute effective measures to prevent their recurrence," he urged. (ANI)