On June 27, 2010, Canada and India signed a bilateral Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy that will enable Canadian companies to export uranium and nuclear equipment, technology and services to India.
The Agreement is similar to those entered into by France, Russia and the United States, providing for safeguards that Canadian uranium, equipment and technology would be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. In particular, the Agreement will rely upon India's commitments with the International Atomic Energy Agency to place its civilian nuclear power plants under international inspection and to provide assurance against withdrawal of safeguarded nuclear material from civilian use.
The Agreement is consistent with Canada's backing of the decision of the Nuclear Suppliers Group in 2008 to exempt India from non-party trade restrictions under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Licensing arrangements for such exports (to be implemented by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission) have yet to be negotiated and ratification of the Agreement will likely not take place until the fall.
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