NEW DELHI, Aug. 18 (Xinhuanet) - The Indian government said on Thursday that it has decided to join the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project as a full member and letters expressing its interest have been sent to all ITER partners.

    This was stated on Thursday by Minister attached to the Indian Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Prithviraj Chavan.

    "The financial implication on India's part is presently estimated at 25 billion rupees over a period of 10 years which will be in the form of contribution such as equipment and services of personnel," Chavan said in the Parliament.

    Chavan also said that India and Europe have signed an agreement of cooperation for nuclear research in 1991, and subsequently a protocol was signed in 1996, whereby, India joined in the construction and utilization of the largest particle accelerator in the world-large hadron collider.

    This, the Minister said, has enabled scientists and engineers from various national laboratories and universities to participate in frontline research in physics. Enditem