India, France sign civil nuclear cooperation deal

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    India and France on Tuesday signed a landmark agreement on civil nuclear cooperation. The agreement covers supply of reactors and atomic fuel and is the first big step to bring New Delhi back into the nuclear mainstream after 34 years of isolation. France is the first country to open nuclear commerce with India after the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group granted a waiver to New Delhi on September 6. The Indo-US nuclear deal is awaiting Congressional nod and an agreement on it between the two countries is expected to be inked soon.