Indian Goverment approves participation ITER

On 5 July, the Union Cabinet of the Government of India, in a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Manmohan, formally sanctioned the funding for Indian participation in the ITER project. India will contribute a little over 9% of the ITER cost, mostly in the form of ITER components manufactured in India by Indian industries and delivered to ITER. At the same meeting, it was also decided to set up a Board formed by members of the Governing Council of the Institute for Plasma Research for its effective implementation, said Information and Broadcasting Minister P.R. Dasmunsi.

"India's joining ITER is a recognition of its scientific and technical capability in fusion energy. Considering India's large energy needs in future, our gaining technological capability in fusion energy will be of considerable long term benefit," Dasmunsi said. He added that India's participation in ITER would allow the country to "leapfrog in terms of our national technological capability in fusion energy."