Indo-Japan civil nuclear deal signed: Here's why it matters for India

A landmark civil nuclear cooperation deal, the main highlight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tokyo, was on Friday signed by India and Japan. The deal was signed after PM Modi held talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.

When Abe visited India in December last year, the two countries had reached a broad agreement for cooperation in civil nuclear energy sector. However, the deal was not signed because some issues were required to be worked out.

Here is why the civil nuclear deal matters for India:

#This move will boost bilateral economic and security ties between India and Japan

#The deal will facilitate US-based players to set up atomic plants in India

#The India-Japan civil nuclear deal will allow Japan to supply nuclear reactors technology to India 

#India’s negotiations are in advanced phase with Japan's Toshiba-owned US-based Westinghouse Electric to make six nuclear reactors in southern India

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#India has plans to ramp up its nuclear capacity by 2032

#India has now become the first non-NPT signatory to have such a deal with Tokyo

#India has a similar nuclear agreement with the US, which was signed in 2008, giving India an access to nuclear technology after decades of isolation

#The deal is crucial in view of China’s rising influence in South Asia