India and France plan small modular nuclear reactors

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that India and France plan to cooperate on the development of small modular nuclear reactors. Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of nuclear energy for "strengthening energy security" and transitioning to a "low-carbon economy." This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of both nations to sustainable energy solutions.

This announcement came just days after the Indian government revealed plans to amend its stringent nuclear liability law, which holds operators responsible for accidents or incidents and is considered a cause of previous nuclear project delays. Modi is also expected to discuss potential nuclear investments with U.S. companies during his visit to Washington on Thursday. These discussions aim to foster greater collaboration in the nuclear energy sector.

According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, India and France will develop small modular reactors and advanced modular reactors for civilian purposes. These reactors can be constructed in factories and then transported to sites for assembly and installation. They do not require large tracts of land or extensive infrastructure and are significantly smaller than traditional nuclear reactors. This approach offers a more efficient and scalable solution for nuclear power generation.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the goal is to initiate "cooperation" because modular reactor technology is "still in its early stages." He said, "We want to be able to cooperate on co-design, co-development, and co-production of these reactors, which we believe will enable us to address the complex issues faced by other traditional projects." This collaborative approach seeks to overcome the challenges associated with conventional nuclear projects through shared expertise and resources.

This proposed partnership marks a shift in India's nuclear energy policy. The Modi government, previously known for its strict regulation of nuclear power, now appears to be opening up to greater international cooperation and private sector involvement. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled ambitious nuclear energy targets earlier this month, setting a goal of generating 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047. The government has committed over $2 billion in funding for nuclear research and development, with a significant portion allocated to developing five indigenous reactors by 2033.

The focus on small modular reactors also represents a shift in the nature of nuclear power cooperation between India and France. The two countries had previously planned to build the world's largest nuclear power plant in Maharashtra, western India. However, the project has been stalled for over a decade, largely due to concerns raised in India's nuclear liability law, which were introduced after finger-pointing at Western companies for India's earlier [devastating 1984 pesticide plant gas leak in Bhopal](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp35vlg3zvxo) and worries over nuclear safety following Japan's [Fukushima nuclear disaster](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-56252695).

Modi is currently on a two-day visit to the United States, where he will hold meetings with President Donald Trump and business leaders. Earlier this week, India's Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri hinted that nuclear energy would be an issue on the agenda for the two leaders. On Tuesday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with Modi during the Paris AI summit and discussed how Washington could help India diversify its energy sources by investing in American nuclear technology, news agencies quoted a White House statement as saying.