India, Kazakhstan likely to secure nuclear pact in January

New Delhi: Central Asian republic Kazakhstan may well become the fourth nation after the US, France and Russia to sign a civil nuclear cooperation deal when its president, Nursultan Nazarbayev,  arrives here in January 2009 as the chief guest for the country's Republic Day celebrations. Kazakhstan is known to possess the second largest uranium reserves in the world.

It is being given to understand that atomic energy establishments of both the countries may already be in contact and discussing the scope for cooperation, including supply of uranium, joint exploration of nuclear fuel and setting up of atomic plants.

"We are working for that. It is early to speak about that," Kazakh ambassador to India, Kairat Umarov, has said in an interview here. Government sources, however, have said that an agreement is expected in the course of the visit and negotiations towards this end are being accelerated.

Nazarbayev's visit is expected to last three days.

Reflecting his country's interest in securing such a deal with India, ambassador Umarov said "the Kazakh side is ready to cooperate with India because India's reputation is very high."

Referring to the waiver by Nuclear Suppliers Group and firming up of India-IAEA Safeguards agreement, he said "since all formal hurdles have been overcome, there is clear road to cooperate."

Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked nation, greater in size than all of Western Europe.