Industry hails NSG waiver, seeks opening up nuke energy

NEW DELHI: Indian industry on Saturday hailed the waiver given to the country by the Nuclear Suppliers' Group as a "resounding victory," and wanted the nuclear energy sector to be opened for the private sector including foreign players.

"This (waiver from NSG) will go a long way in resolving India's massive need for power for its growth and development. It will open the doors for foreign investment in the nuclear power generation," Ficci said in a statement here.

The Confederation of Indian Industry said the waiver would help India add capacity to fulfill its nuclear power generation target of 63,000 MW by 2030.

"India needs enormous electrical energy for GDP growth and the nuclear power would be an important constituent. The best way would be to open nuclear market to private and foreign players," it said.

CII said the NSG waiver enlarges the scope of Indian manufacturing capacity and would help project the country as a global manufacturing hub.

Assocham described the NSG decision as a "resounding victory for India" that would take the country out of the technology denial regime.