Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s recent visit to France, India’s foreign ministry announced plans for collaboration on the development of small modular nuclear reactors between the two nations.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted nuclear energy’s critical role in enhancing energy security and facilitating a shift towards a low-carbon economy.
Just days after Delhi revealed intentions to amend its stringent nuclear liability law, which places responsibility on operators for accidents or incidents, concerns have been raised regarding its role in causing delays to past atomic projects.
During his upcoming visit to Washington on Thursday, Modi is anticipated to discuss potential nuclear investments from US companies.
The Indian Foreign Ministry announced that Delhi and Paris will collaborate on developing small modular reactors and advanced modular reactors for civil applications.
These reactors can be manufactured in factories and subsequently transported to various sites for assembly and installation.
These systems necessitate minimal land use and infrastructure, operating on a scale much smaller than conventional nuclear reactors.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasised that the goal was to foster “cooperation” given that modular reactor technology remains “still in its initial stages”.
“We aim to collaborate in the co-design, co-development, and co-production of the reactors, believing that this approach will help us address challenges encountered in traditional projects,” he stated.
A new partnership has emerged, indicating a significant change in India’s approach to nuclear energy policy.
The Modi government, once characterised by stringent oversight of nuclear energy, is shifting towards increased international collaboration and private sector involvement.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced bold nuclear energy objectives earlier this month, aiming to generate 100GW of atomic energy by 2047.
The government has committed over $2 billion (£1.6 billion) to nuclear research and development, with the majority of these funds earmarked to establish five domestic reactors by 2033.
The emphasis on small modular reactors signifies a notable change in India’s partnership with France regarding nuclear energy initiatives.
The nations had earlier announced intentions to construct the largest nuclear power facility in the western Maharashtra region of India.
The project has faced delays for over a decade, primarily due to provisions added to India’s nuclear liability law. These changes were prompted by allegations that India had previously absolved Western companies of responsibility for the catastrophic 1984 gas leak at a pesticide plant in Bhopal, alongside rising apprehensions regarding nuclear safety following the Fukushima disaster in Japan.
Indian Prime Minister Modi is in the United States for a two-day visit, during which he is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump and engage with business leaders.
Earlier this week, India’s federal Oil Minister Hardeep Puri suggested that nuclear energy would be a topic of discussion for the two leaders.
On Tuesday, US Vice-President JD Vance discussed with Modi during the AI Summit in Paris, focusing on potential avenues for Washington to assist Delhi in diversifying its energy sources through investments in American nuclear technology, according to reports from news agencies citing a White House statement.
