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EU INDIA COLLABORATION ON PEACEFUL USES OF NUCLEAR POWER Background • India and the European Union (EU) have agreed to strengthen cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy. • This cooperation is under the India–Euratom Agreement, which was signed in July 2020. WHAT IS THE AGREEMENT ABOUT? India and the EU will work together in civil (non-military) nuclear areas, such as: 1. Nuclear Research & Technology • Research in nuclear science and technology • Development of advanced materials for radiation detectors • Cooperation in radiation safety and nuclear security 2. Non-Power Uses of Atomic Energy • Radio-pharmaceuticals (used in cancer diagnosis and treatment) • Medical and industrial applications of nuclear technology 3. ITER Cooperation • Strengthening cooperation in ITER • ITER = International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor • Aim: Develop nuclear fusion as a future clean energy source HORIZON EUROPE PROGRAM • India and the EU will deepen cooperation under Horizon Europe • Horizon Europe is the EU’s main funding programme for research and innovation Key Areas of Cooperation • Energy • Water • Agri-food sector • Health • Semiconductors • Biotechnology • Advanced materials How will it happen? • Co-funding • Coordinated research calls THE CBAM ISSUE What is CBAM? • Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism • EU policy that imposes extra tariffs on imports like iron and steel • Applied to producers outside the EU who emit more carbon Why was it a problem for India? • Indian steel producers may face higher costs • Could affect India’s exports to the EU WHAT WAS AGREED? The EU has committed to: • Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) assurance • Flexibility similar to other third countries • Technical cooperation on carbon pricing • Recognition of Indian carbon verifiers • Financial and technical support to reduce emissions WHAT IS EURATOM? • European Atomic Energy Community • Established in 1957 under the Treaty of Rome Objective • Promote peaceful uses of atomic energy • Create a common European nuclear market Important Points • Euratom does NOT control military nuclear material • Focus only on civil nuclear energy Membership • Original members: o Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands • Now includes all EU member states ROLE OF EURATOM • Regulates the civil nuclear industry in Europe • Nuclear energy provides ~30% of EU electricity • Ensures: o Nuclear safety o Waste disposal o Safeguards of nuclear material o Equal access to nuclear supplies Governance • Governed by the European Commission and the Council • Under the European Court of Justice KEY INSTITUTIONS • Euratom Supply Agency • Joint Research Centre (JRC) • Active in nuclear fusion research Why is this Important for India? • Boosts clean and low-carbon energy cooperation • Helps India in advanced nuclear technology • Supports medical and health applications • Strengthens India’s position in global climate negotiations • Reduces the negative impact of CBAM on Indian exports #IndiaEUNuclear #PeacefulNuclearPower #nuclearenergy #IndiaEUCollaboration #Euratom #cleanenergy #NuclearResearch #ITERProject #horizoneurope #advancedtechnology #MedicalNuclear #climateaction