India and France are planning to jointly develop small modular nuclear reactors
India and France have announced plans to collaborate on developing small modular nuclear reactors, according to India’s foreign ministry following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France. Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron underscored the critical role of nuclear energy in enhancing energy security and transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
This announcement comes shortly after India revealed plans to amend its stringent nuclear liability law, which holds operators accountable for accidents and has caused delays in previous nuclear projects. Modi is also set to discuss potential nuclear investments from US firms during his upcoming visit to Washington.
India’s foreign ministry highlighted that the two countries will work together on small modular reactors and advanced modular reactors for civil use. These reactors, which can be manufactured in factories and transported for assembly, are significantly smaller than traditional nuclear reactors and do not require large areas of land or extensive infrastructure.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the goal is to foster “cooperation” in the early stages of modular reactor technology. “We aim to co-design, co-develop, and co-produce these reactors, which will help us overcome challenges faced in other conventional nuclear projects,” he said.
This collaboration marks a shift in India’s nuclear energy policy. Known for strict nuclear regulations, Modi’s government appears more open to international cooperation and private sector involvement. Earlier this month, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined ambitious nuclear energy targets, aiming for 100GW of nuclear energy by 2047. The government has also committed over $2bn for nuclear R&D, with plans to develop five indigenous reactors by 2033.
The focus on small modular reactors also signals a change in India’s nuclear cooperation with France. Previously, the two countries had planned to build the world’s largest nuclear power plant in India’s Maharashtra state, but the project has been delayed for more than a decade due to concerns about India’s nuclear liability law and nuclear safety, especially following the Fukushima disaster in Japan.
Modi is currently in the US for a two-day visit, where he is expected to meet with President Joe Biden and business leaders. Earlier this week, India’s Oil Minister Hardeep Puri suggested that nuclear energy would be a key topic during discussions between the two leaders. On Tuesday, US Vice-President JD Vance met with Modi at the AI Summit in Paris, where they discussed ways in which the US could help India diversify its energy sources through investments in American nuclear technology.
About The Author
