PM eyes uranium deal with Canada

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads to Germany, France, and Canada, sources say that India and Canada are likely to sign a deal to import uranium for nuclear power plants.

India and Canada signed the civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2010 and followed it up by inking the administrative arrangement in 2012.

Ottawa had snapped its nuclear ties with New Delhi after accusing the Indian government of using plutonium produced in reactor provided by Canada and installed in the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Trombay for its first nuclear test in Pokhran in 1974.

Sources also said that France is likely to cooperate on high speed trains between Delhi and Punjab.

Last week, the Prime Minister said his upcoming visit to France, Germany and Canada was aimed at boosting India's economy and creating jobs.

"My France, Germany & Canada visit is centred around supporting India's economic agenda & creating jobs for our youth," he tweeted ahead of his three-nation tour from April 9 to 16.

In the first leg of the tour, he will visit France. "Will discuss strengthening India-France economic co-operation & visit some high-tech industrial units outside Paris," Modi said in another tweet.

Talking about Germany, the second country of his visit, the Prime Minister said, "Chancellor (Angela) Merkel & I will jointly inaugurate @Hannover_Messe (festival) where India is a partner country."

He will be visiting Canada in the third and last leg of the eight-day tour.

"Looking forward to enhancing ties with Canada & interacting with leaders, captains of industry & diaspora in Canada," he said.

Modi also re-tweeted Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper which said, "Happy to announce Prime Minister of India, @NarendraModi will be visiting Canada this spring." Thanking Harper for this, Modi wrote, "Will be wonderful to meet you in Canada."