Argentina and India signed an Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy in 2010. In 2019 the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to “enhance and explore cooperative ventures” in civilian nuclear power, and “bolster institutional linkages” in civilian nuclear research and development, and capacity building.
In August last year, Argentina’s National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), and an Argentinian company INVAP completed the start-up of a radioisotope producing plant in Mumbai.
In February 2023, a variety of meetings and tours, including to nuclear fuel producer Combustibles Nucleares Argentino and the site of the RA-10 reactor, have taken place within the framework of the second meeting of India and Argentina’s Joint Coordination Committee.
The Indian delegation was headed by the CEO of the Heavy Water Board, S Satyakumar. During the visit, CNEA said meetings were held to discuss areas including “nuclear medicine, space alloys, radioisotopes, and heavy water”.
Adriana Serquis, president of Argentina’s CNEA, said, “It is very valuable for the CNEA to receive today the visit of the delegation from India, not only to strengthen our cooperation ties in different areas related to nuclear medicine or reactors, but also so that they can get to know our facilities and workers, and the major priority projects that our institution is carrying out.”
India has a largely home-grown nuclear energy sector with 22 operating reactors and eight under construction, with more planned. Argentina has three nuclear reactors, generating about 7% of its electricity. A locally-designed power reactor prototype, CAREM25, is currently under construction.
