Tremendous scope for growth in export in nuclear sector: DAE chief

Mumbai: Ranajit Kumar, head, Nuclear Control and Planning Wing, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), said on Saturday that there is tremendous scope in the nuclear sector for growth in export to South Asian countries. "DAE has developed many technologies in health sector (especially for cancer treatment) and agriculture sector. DAE has also exported these technologies to different countries and there is tremendous potential for growth in export to South Asian countries. As the industry is the core partner of DAE, we encourage responsible and collaborative efforts to ensure compliance to the legal and regulatory framework while promoting trade and economic growth."

'India committed to non-proliferation in nuclear sector'

Speaking at the conference on 'Export Controls and Trade in Nuclear Related Items, Materials and Technology', organised by FICCI and DAE, Mayank Joshi, Director, D&ISA Division, said that India has been committed to ensuring non-proliferation of sensitive and dual-use materials, equipment and technologies.

"The government and industry partnership is essential for implementing a strong and robust export control system. There is no doubt that industry is first and the most critical line of defence against proliferation. I would like to urge the industry to look at export controls as an enabling obligation," he added.

'Nuclear is a non-forgiving sector'

GK Pillai, Managing Director & CEO of Walchandnagar Industries Ltd said, "Nuclear is a non-forgiving sector where one incident can have far reaching global and political consequences. Yet, today the Indian supply chain is self-reliant for 700 MWe PWHR programme, and it is an outcome of the commitment of Indian manufacturing industries in terms of safety, quality assurance and compliance."

Dr Anupam Srivastava, Non-Resident Fellow at the Henry L Stimson Center said, "With nuclear power sector in India poised for steady expansion, the complexity of licensed applications will grow over time, and the onus will be on the industry to improve its procedures and compliance metrics to effectively service the global value chain."

The backdrop

Specialised chemicals, items and technologies which can be used in civil nuclear projects fall under  'Dual Use' category, ie, items that have both civilian and military use, and are regulated under Indian export control list — SCOMET (Strategic Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies). All items under this list require licence from DGFT, DAE or DDP/Ministry of Defence, prior to export of the regulated commodities.

In the past few years, export of items under SCOMET have been increasing at a healthy rate, reflecting India's growing technological prowess. In 2018-19 alone, the DGFT, DAE and DDP received a total of 1,359 applications for export of items under SCOMET. In the last three quarters of FY 2019-20, the government has received 1,135 applications, and is expecting a total number of applications for FY2019-20 to surpass the last year's figures.

In recognition of India's non-proliferation track record, three key multilateral export control regimes — Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and Australia Group (AG) — have admitted the country into its membership. Entry into these elite trade control regimes makes it easier for India to access several advanced dual use technologies. While India is not a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), its policies are harmonised with the trade regime.