Indian PM: Nation committed to nuke energy

NEW DELHI, March 24 (UPI) -- India is committed to developing nuclear energy as part of its energy security strategy, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday.

"Our energy needs are bound to grow. We will be failing in the duty to our nation and to posterity, if we do not look ahead and take steps for not just today and tomorrow but for future generations," Singh said.

The comments came at an event to inaugurate a gas-based power plant in New Delhi.

India's United Progressive Alliance government has had a difficult time to push through a civilian nuclear deal with the United States because its leftist allies are opposed to the deal on the grounds it will compromise sovereignty. The deal gives India access to U.S. civilian nuclear technology.

Nuclear power accounts for 3 percent of India's installed power generation capacity, while more than 60 percent is provided by coal. Singh said while some coal might be cheap now, there's no way of knowing what will be affordable in the future.

Developing nuclear will help the country diversify its energy resources, he said.