Sri Lanka is in talks with Pakistan to explore cooperation on nuclear energy, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday, days after the country reached a civil nuclear agreement with India.

The Sri Lankan government has readied a memorandum of understanding to be signed with Pakistan to improve “technical capacities and human capacities” he said.

“We have already signed an agreement with Russian state-owned ROSATOM,” Ranawaka told media on Thursday. Sri Lanka was also exploring possible collaboration with France and the United States.

However, the Minister ruled out a nuclear power plant project with the countries.

The agreement with India pertained to basic and applied research on peaceful uses of nuclear technology, production of radioactive isotopes in industry, agriculture and water management, he said.