India, Canada close to signing civil nuclear deal

Toronto, June 7 (ANI): India and Canada are close to inking a civil nuclear deal, India's High Commissioner to Canada Shashishekhar M Gavai, said

Gavai said officials of both sides had already exchanged the draft agreement regarding the deal, which would pave the way for Canada to sell its nuclear technology and uranium for civilian use for the first time in more than 30 years.

He said the deal would be signed soon.

"An expert Canadian team was in Mumbai last month to work out, with the Atomic Energy Commission of India, final technical details and conditions under which business can be done," Gavai added.

Canada's International Trade Minister, Stockwell Day had also hinted that both countries are close to signing a nuclear deal.

"We're very close to having an agreement with India related to the civilian use of nuclear energy for the purpose of helping them meet their energy needs," Day said at 32nd gala dinner organized by the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC).

"I don't like to put an hour and a day on it, but these are fairly complicated agreements and we're just about there.There's just a few items left," he added.

Sources said the deal could be finalized within the next three months. (ANI)