Says India’s nuclear expansion, SHANTI act creating new space for global industry
NEW DELHI: A high-level U.S. industry delegation comprising representatives from the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) today held detailed discussions with Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, on emerging opportunities for private investment and industry collaboration in India’s Nuclear sector.
The interaction focused on India’s ambitious Nuclear Energy Mission, recent policy reforms enabling greater private sector participation, and the expanding scope of India–U.S. cooperation in clean energy and critical technologies.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, India and the United States today share a strong and future-oriented partnership in science, technology, clean energy and emerging sectors, with civil nuclear cooperation steadily gaining strategic and economic significance. He said, the launch of the U.S.-India TRUST Initiative during the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump on 13 February 2025 has opened new avenues for collaboration in critical and emerging technologies.
The Minister said the TRUST initiative, centred around trusted technology partnerships, resilient supply chains and innovation ecosystems, provides a strong framework for deeper engagement among governments, industry, academia and startups in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, quantum technologies, advanced materials, critical minerals, energy and space technologies.
Referring to India’s long-term clean energy goals under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Dr Jitendra Singh said India aims to increase its nuclear power capacity from the present 8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047 through a phased and carefully planned expansion strategy. He said India’s rapidly growing nuclear energy programme is creating major opportunities for global partnerships in manufacturing, technology cooperation, supply chain integration and advanced research.
The Minister informed the delegation that India has recently enacted the SHANTI Act, 2025, a major policy reform aimed at facilitating greater participation of the private sector, including foreign participation, in the nuclear energy sector. He said the reform is expected to create a more enabling ecosystem for investment, industrial collaboration, manufacturing partnerships and technology cooperation aligned with India’s Nuclear Energy Mission.
