 "What is France's Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project in which India is a partner?")
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is co-hosting the AI Action Summit with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, all high-level engagements are lined up. He, along with Macron will travel to the site of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in Cadarache.
On the invitation of French President Macron, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Paris on Monday night. President Macron greeted him with a hug at a welcome dinner at the Elysee Palace.
Besides the summit, bilateral engagements are also set to take place between the two leaders.
The two leaders will also travel to the historic French city of Marseille, where they will inaugurate the first Indian Consulate in France.
What is International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)
They will also visit the site of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in Cadarache. The project aims to produce fusion power at power plant levels. India is among the seven countries partnering in this high-science project.
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is a collaborative project aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free energy source.
Joint venture of 7 nations
ITER is located in Cadarache, France. It is a joint venture involving seven international partners: the European Union, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and the United States.
India is an active participant in the fusion technology project.
New Delhi has significant energy requirements to fulfil its development goals, and the recent annual budget placed significant emphasis on energy production.
India became a full partner in the ITER project in 2005, and the ITER Agreement was signed in 2006.
Institute for Plasma Research
The Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) oversees India’s contributions to ITER. The institute comes under India’s Department of Atomic Energy.
India’s involvement includes supplying critical components such as cryolines—four kilometres of which were provided to operate at temperatures ranging from minus 269°C to minus 193°C.
The project aims to produce fusion power at levels comparable to those of a power plant.