India Japan Civil Nuclear Agreement

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What is the issue?
Recently, the Japanese Parliament (Diet) has endorsed the controversial Japan-India civil nuclear cooperation agreement that will allow the nation’s firms to export nuclear materials and technology to India for nonmilitary use.

Why the Diet resisted 

1. The ruling coalition of Japan voted for the pact, while opposition forces voted against it.
2. The pact has been a source of contention because India is neither a signatory of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) nor of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
3. Opposition also argued that the accord will damage the credibility of the NPT system and help India acquire nuclear technology and materials.
4. There was also political resistance in Japan against a nuclear deal with India, particularly after the disaster at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in 2011.
5. Opposition have said that exports of nuclear technology may not be profitable for nation firms.
6. The last stage of negotiations was keenly watched due to a
7. “nullification clause”.
8. The clause states that an Indian action in violation could be viewed as a serious departure from the prevailing situation and Japan might exercise its right to terminate nuclear cooperation.

How the agreement is significant for India?

• India signed a landmark nuclear deal with the US in 2008, clearing the path for the country to source nuclear power plants and technology from international markets.
• But with Japanese companies in possession of critical technologies, an accord with Japan was pivotal for India.
• The deal is significant as it will help guarantee Japan’s continued support to India’s civil nuclear programme.
• Under the agreement, Japanese firms may supply nuclear materials, equipment and technologies to India for “peaceful and non-explosive purposes.”
• The companies may also provide support services for designing, building and operating reactors.
• The deal is also likely to
• revitalise Japanese nuclear majors that are yet to recover from the setback of the Fukushima accident.
• The nuclear issue in many ways was a constraint. It was preventing India and Japan from engaging in a more robust and wide spectrum manner.
• The deal will bring Japan into the Indian nuclear market where France and Russia have already have a strong presence.
• In the face of surging power demand due to rapid economic and population growth, India is seeking to build more nuclear reactors.
• India currently has 5.7 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power generation capacity.
• India’s Department of Atomic Energy’s target is to have 63GW of nuclear power capacity by 2032.
• Also, New Delhi aims to boost nuclear power generation nationwide so that it accounts for nearly 25% of all electricity in the country by 2050.

What is the need for Nuclear Power in India?

• The cost of coal power would be some 30 to 50 per cent higher in coming days.
• Then there is a threat of climate change and the concern for environmental pollution.
• The hydro power is unevenly distributed across months.
• Solar power is available only when the sun is shining unless it is stored in some way.
• Thus, to provide power when the sun is not shining, a balancing power is needed.
• In India, more than 70% of petroleum products are based on imports.
• India’s known extractable coal reserves will run out in about 40 years.
• For India, renewable energy is inevitable and nuclear option should be retained as an insurance.
• Nuclear power also helps diversify the system and adds to energy security.
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