Since the resumption of the partnership between France and India on nuclear energy for peaceful uses beginning of 2000, the CEA and the Indian Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) have nurtured a fruitful and very active collaboration in the field of nuclear energy. The cooperation focuses mainly on the Indian participation in the Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) consortium, reactor safety of sodium-cooled and pressurised water reactors, and training.
Numerous bilateral projects have been carried out in the framework of the previous cooperation agreement between the CEA and the research centers of the DAE, in particular with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR). The renewal of the cooperation agreement will allow the research teams to pursue their collaborations and to engage discussions on new bilateral projects.
India is engaged in a very ambitious nuclear energy program with nine nuclear reactors under construction and twelve additional reactors planned and approved by the Indian Government. India is also developing many nuclear power applications in the field of Health, Agriculture or Food preservation. Furthermore, the Indian organizations are contributing to several international projects, as for example to ITER.
About the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
Established in 1954 under the direct charge of the Prime Minister through a Presidential Order, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has been engaged in the development of nuclear power technology, applications of radiation technologies in the fields of agriculture, medicine, industry and basic research. DAE comprises five research centers, three industrial organizations, five public sector undertakings and three service organizations. It has under its aegis two boards for promoting and funding extra-mural research in nuclear and allied fields, mathematics and a national institute (deemed university). It also supports eight institutes of international repute engaged in research in basic sciences, astronomy, astrophysics, cancer research and education.