Modi, Macron visit ‘mini Sun’ site
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday visited the site of the world’s largest scientific experiment where efforts are on to build a mini Sun on the earth.
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in Cadarache seeks to replicate nuclear fusion — that occurs naturally inside the Sun — on earth to create a limitless supply of clean energy.
ITER partners are the European Union, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the US. The European Union being the host party contributes 45 per cent, while the rest of the parties contribute 9 per cent each. The gain for India is access to IPR which may some day allow it to make fusion energy reactors in India.
An MEA statement on the last day of PM’s France visit said both leaders appreciated the progress of ITER, including the assembly of the world’s largest Tokamak, where ultimately 500 MW of fusion power will be produced by creating, containing and controlling burning plasma.
India is among the seven ITER members contributing to the project over the last two decades. Around 200 Indian scientists and associates, as well as notable industry players such as L&T, Inox India, TCS, TCE, HCL Technologies, among others, are engaged in the ITER project.
After the inspection, Modi said, “Complimented the team working on the project, which represents a commendable step toward sustainable and limitless clean energy for the future.”
The ITER machine is expected to be ready for experimental run in 2035.
Earlier today, Modi and Macron received a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora in Marseille where they jointly inaugurated the Indian consulate, the second diplomatic mission after the Embassy in Paris. The two leaders had touched down in the city on Tuesday night and held bilateral discussions over dinner and later today.
PM Modi described the joint opening of the Indian consulate as historic. “President Macron and I inaugurated the Indian consulate in this vibrant city marking a new chapter in India-France ties,” he said.
Marseille in the south of France on the Mediterranean coast also marks the entry point for the India-Europe Economic Corridor and has strategic significance.
Besides, the city was a major base for Indian troops during World War 1. The two leaders today paid homage at the Mazargues Cemetery where fallen Indian soldiers of the two World Wars have been commemorated.
“More than 1,00,000 Indians fought for France in 1914. 10,000 never returned...Their sacrifice binds France and India forever,” Macron posted on X.
Indian officials later said the PM’s France visit was marked by special gestures of friendship by Macron.
“In an extraordinary gesture of friendship, PM Modi and President Macron travelled together in a joint motorcade and in the same plane to Marseille. President Macron hosted PM Modi for a working dinner in Marseille immediately on landing,” they said.
