New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS) Even as India and the US are yet to complete procedures for resuming atomic trade, Westinghouse Electric Company Wednesday said it is engaged in talks with three or four Indian engineering companies for tie-ups to supply nuclear reactor equipment.
Westinghouse Electric plans to build nuclear reactors in India once the India-U.S. civilian nuclear agreement is finalised, the chief executive of Westinghouse Aris Candris told reporters.

“We’re in active discussions with three or four companies and close to signing with them,” said Meena Mutyala, business leader for Westinghouse in India.

Westinghouse Electric Co, one of top nuclear energy firms, is owned by Japan’s Toshiba group.

Candris also said India and the US have held talks about an assurance from New Delhi on nuclear non-proliferation under provisions of the US Code of Federal Regulations Part 810 before it could provide clearances to American companies for Indo-US civil nuclear trade.

“Some progress has been,” said Candris.

The 2008 India-US civil nuclear accord has re-opened the doors for American nuclear companies to compete for a piece of billions of dollars in business for which Russian and French companies are already competing.

Candris also said that Westinghouse expected 18-36 months’ delay in starting two AP1000 nuclear reactors it is building in Florida.

India and the US have to complete some key steps before the companies can commence nuclear business. The two countries have to finalise a crucial pact on reprocessing spent fuel. India has to complete a civil liability legislation that will limit damages to American nuclear companies in case of a nuclear accident.