Delegation from lead U.S. Nuclear Energy Research Laboratory visits India

February 7, 2011 | New Delhi

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory (INL), the U.S. government's lead nuclear engineering and science laboratory, are visiting India this week to learn more about the country's nuclear energy community and to identify nuclear development opportunities and partnerships that will benefit both countries.

During its 10-day visit, the INL delegation will interact with leaders and researchers in government, industry and academia.  Their visit includes meetings with representatives of higher education at the India Institute of Technology-Bombay, the Department of Atomic Energy and its two nuclear energy laboratories, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, Ltd., the National Thermal Power Corporation, and a number of industry representatives. While in Mumbai, INL will also present a charter to the newly established India Section of the American Nuclear Society.

"All advanced nuclear energy nations benefit by understanding each other's nuclear enterprises and collaborating where appropriate," said INL Director and delegation head John Grossenbacher.

After representing the Energy Department during the negotiations of the 123 Agreement on civil nuclear energy cooperation, INL hosted the first India-U.S. working group meeting and arranged for U.S. technical support of the working group's second meeting in January 2010 in Mumbai.   Similar INL delegations have visited China, South Korea, France, Canada, and Norway.