By Manish Chand
On Board Air India One, Jan 15 (IANS) India's quest for global civilian nuclear cooperation got a boost Monday with 16 leaders of the East Asia Summit agreeing on the need to promote such cooperation in the region.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who delivered an extempore address at the second East Asia summit, said that although the India-US civil nuclear deal did not figure in the discussions, there was general support in this regional forum for promoting nuclear energy.
"I have highlighted in my speech at the East Asia Summit the need for all countries to encourage civilian nuclear cooperation with India," Manmohan Singh told reporters while returning from the Philippines after attending the India-ASEAN and the 2nd East Asia Summit.
"There was support for the proposition that nuclear energy as an option to meet the need for clean energy deserves greater attention of the international community. I look forward to further discussion on this issue."
In his intervention, the prime minister also outlined India's experience and efforts to develop renewable sources of energy like bio-diesel as a supplement and a substitute for petroleum and focussing on the development of nuclear energy.
There was considerable support to the option afforded by nuclear energy and energy efficient strategies, which would cause no environmental damage.
India is hopeful of winning support of China and Japan, influential members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, who were also participants at the East Asia Summit, sources told IANS.
Other issues like promotion of competitiveness, human resource development and environmental protection and early warning systems also figured in the discussion.
Manmohan Singh emphasised on greater integration between India and the East Asian countries through enhancement of bilateral trade and greater connectivity between people of the two sides.
"The main objective of the East Asia Summit should be to set in motion a process which would ultimately lead to the creation of an East Asia community for an arc of prosperity. This was highlighted in my first visit to the region (2004)."
Earlier, the Cebu Declaration on Energy Security was signed in the Philippines by leaders of the East Asia Summit - an evolving regional forum that includes 10 Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and six dialogue partners, comprising China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.
The declaration calls for reducing dependence on oil and fossil fuel in the context of surging global prices and seeks to intensify the quest for new and renewable energy resources and technologies with a focus on civil nuclear power and bio-fuels.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who hosted the summit, underlined the need to adopt a strategic approach to strengthen and promote energy cooperation, particularly in key infrastructure projects including the ASEAN power grid and Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline.
This strategic approach will entail improved energy efficiency and the diversification of energy supply by developing alternative sources such as biofuels and civilian nuclear power, Arroyo said.
India also participated in the first East Asia Summit, which was held in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 14, 2005, and adopted a declaration that envisages accelerated efforts to promote community building to create a regional architecture and promote trade and investment between the members of the forum.