WASHINGTON, July 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Energy will team with counterparts in New Delhi to examine technology in civilian nuclear research, an official said.
The Energy Department said it signed an agreement with the Indian Department of Atomic Energy to explore accelerator and particle detector research.
"This agreement is the latest step in the deepening cooperation between the U.S. and India on a range of clean energy and scientific fronts," U.S. Deputy Energy Secretary Daniel Poneman said in a statement.
"Working together, we will be able to further our collective understanding of accelerators and high-energy particles, pursue new technologies and scientific discoveries and advance our shared clean energy goals."
The agreement provides a legal framework for joint projects in civilian nuclear research. The agreement specifically aims to expand superconductor research at national laboratories in the United States.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Indian officials last week to discuss security and energy ties. The countries in May outlined a $25 million funding opportunity for a joint clean energy research center that would focus on solar energy and advanced biofuels.
The U.S. Department of Commerce is planning a trade mission to India in November to discuss commercial partnerships in the clean energy sector.
India announced last week that it started construction on the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station, the 25th nuclear power plant in the country.
