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Brussels, 02 Aug 2005

India has approached South Korea in a bid to join the six-party international thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER) project.

India's Minister for Foreign Affairs, K. Natwar Singh, put forward his case at a meeting in India with his South Korean counterpart, Ban ki-Moon. The Koreans are believed to have given their support to India's petition for membership, and pledged to raise the matter with the other ITER partners.

ITER currently brings together the EU, the US, China, Japan, Russia and South Korea. The reactor will be located in Cadarache, France.

The overall objective of ITER is to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion energy for peaceful purposes. Analysts believe that India would have to effectively segregate its military nuclear and civilian nuclear facilities before any initiation to the ITER club could be considered.

For further information on ITER, please consult the following web address:

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