Krishna to discuss cooperation in several areas including nuclear fuel with Kazakh leaders

The draft Civil Nuclear Agreement on cooperation with Kazakhstan in the areas of nuclear fuel, mining and construction of nuclear power plants and collaboration in the hydrocarbon sector is expected to come up for discussions during external affairs minister SM Krishna's upcoming visit to the country starting this evening.

Krishna will be accompanied by captains of Indian industry, officials from the Department of Atomic Energy and ONGC.

During his visit Krishna will hold delegation level talks with his Kazakh counterpart Kanat Saudabayev. He will also call on the country's prime minister and president and then address the joint business forum of the two countries.

According to the external affairs ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash, the modalities to take the cooperation forward in the areas are being actively discussed between the two sides. Ajay Bisaria, joint secretary in the ministry of external affairs said the forward movement on the agreement for production in Satpayev oil block was expected during the visit.

India and Kazakhastan will also discuss the roadmap for implementation of the major initiatives that were outlined during the visit of Kazakhstan president Nazarbayev to India.

Kazakhstan has initiated a programme for accelerated development under which 170 major projects for industrialisation would be undertaken. Kazakhastan is seeking India's participation in the multi-billion dollar projects.