Dr Christian Wagner, Head of Research Division of the German Institute of International and Security Affairs, Germany

— Russia will certainly remain one of India’s most important partners in the field of nuclear energy

— The Nuclear Suppliers Group has recently lifted nuclear trade restrictions on India. What changes shall it bring to the Indian nuclear industry development? Is it a positive factor not only for India but for all the countries advanced in nuclear technology, which may cooperate with India?

— Yes. I think that the consent of Nuclear Suppliers Group to lift nuclear trade restrictions on India have opened new possibilities for nuclear powers for cooperation and for the members of the Nuclear Supplier Group. It will give the nuclear powers new opportunities to cooperate with India in the development of India’s civilian nuclear sector and of course, it will give new opportunities for technological partnership.

— Up to now, due to the Kudankulam NPP construction, Russia was the main partner of India in nuclear sphere. Now other foreign nuclear-related companies are expected to enter the Indian nuclear market…

— I think, giving the lack of energy and India’s energy demand, the Indian market is certainly big enough for all the nuclear powers to get respective share in the development of India’s nuclear sector. India is desperately looking for the exploration of nuclear energy. The government hopes to increase the share of nuclear energy from now about 2% to up to 8–10% in 2030. So giving India’s energy need I think that the market is large enough so that all the main nuclear powers can enter into cooperation with India.

— What about cooperation with Russia and particularly, the Russian-Indian nuclear accord signed on December, 5,  to build four new nuclear reactors and nuclear fuel supplies to Indian nuclear power plants?

— I think that Russia will certainly remain one of India’s most important partners, mostly giving to the long-standing relationship of both countries and the large area of cooperation, especially in the field of nuclear energy. As I have said, the Indian nuclear market is certainly large enough. Of course there would be great competition in the future because when the number of competitors rise – the number of countries who can offer nuclear technology – the Indian government will certainly look for the best and most cost-effective nuclear power plants. Russia has good prospects of cooperation with India in nuclear sphere.