India's atomic energy programme - retrospect and prospect

India has foreseen the potential for the peaceful uses of atomic energy at a time when most of the countries had geared their efforts to use it for military purposes. Concerted efforts to develop a dedicated cadre of scientists and engineers capable of harnessing nuclear power for nation's development has enabled the country to be among the seven or eight countries in the world to have the complete nuclear fuel cycle. The dependence on imported components for the country's nuclear power plants has come down from 45 percent to 9 percent. The atomic energy programme has also played the role of a catalyst for the scientific, technical and industrial advancement. The restrictions sought to be imposed on India's peaceful nuclear programme by certain foreign powers is likely to cause temporary delays and cost over-runs but in the long run would go to bring about complete self-sufficiency in this field. (Ed.)