Dr. Srikumar Banerjee, Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of Department of Atomic Energy, visited KAERI on July 25, 2011 and had an in-depth discussions on ways to promote substantive bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues, including radiation technology, nuclear desalination, fast reactor, human resources development, safety, nuclear fuel cycle.

In his meeting with Dr. Y.H. Jung, KAERI president, Dr. Banerjee presented current situation of electricity in India and emphasized the importance of nuclear energy in meeting energy needs. He signed an agreement on nuclear power cooperation at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul in the morning of July 25. Agreement to promote civil nuclear cooperation with India has a special meaning for Korea as India has worked hard to construct nuclear power plants for coping with electricity shortages and climate change.

KAERI and IGCAR (Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research) reached an agreement to conclude the Memorandum of Understanding to establish an effective institutional framework in April 2011 when IGCAR delegation visited KAERI to participate in the 2nd KAERI-IGCAR Workshop on High-Temperature Materials, Design, and Assessment, held at KAERI. The MOU is ready to be signed after necessary work-level negotiations are finalized. This MOU has a special meaning for us as it will mark the first-ever MOU between KAERI and other entity to be signed with nuclear-related organizations in India.

Dr. Srikumar Banerjee proposed areas of potential cooperation; radiation technology, nuclear medicine, biology, nuclear desalination, fast reactor, human resources development, fuel cycle. etc.

India currently operates 20 nuclear reactors to produce 4,780 megawatts and six more are under construction to add the capability of 4,800 megawatts. The country plans to expand its nuclear power generation capacity to 63,000 megawatts by 2032. He made a technical  tour of ATLAS facility.