India struck a different tone at the ongoing global meet on
nuclear energy, drawing attention to the pitfalls of relying
solely on uranium fuel for atomic reactors. It said the world
must revive research in utilising thorium and join hands with
India, only country engaged in this endeavour, to ensure that
energy is sustainable for the next few centuries. Warning that
the reliance on uranium will not be sustainable beyond this
century, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Srikumar Banerjee
said the “world must wake up” and support India's three-stage
nuclear programme. “The constraint in relying only on uranium
was never addressed in this conference. The world has to pay
attention to uranium 238 using plutonium in a closed fuel cycle
— this transition is essential for the whole world. But this is
not enough. Unless thorium is used, it will not be possible to
have sustainable energy on this planet. Only with thorium will
it be possible for the whole world to get enough energy for
several centuries. This was discus