India and U.S. Explore Expanded Nuclear Energy Partnership and Private Investment Opportunities

The Minister highlighted the importance of the U.S.-India TRUST Initiative launched during the February 2025 meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump.

A high-level United States industry delegation representing the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) held extensive discussions with Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on strengthening India–U.S. cooperation in nuclear energy, clean technologies, and advanced scientific sectors.

The meeting focused on emerging opportunities for private investment, industry collaboration, advanced reactor technologies, and strategic cooperation as India accelerates efforts to expand its nuclear energy capacity under its long-term development goals.

The delegation included senior representatives from the U.S. nuclear industry, business stakeholders, and officials associated with bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy and critical technologies.

India–U.S. Nuclear Cooperation Gains Strategic Momentum

The discussions were led by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, who also oversees the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Space as Minister of State.

Senior officials from the Department of Science & Technology (DST), the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), and representatives from U.S. industry organisations also participated in the meeting.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said India and the United States now share a "strong and future-oriented partnership" in science, technology, clean energy, and emerging industries, with civil nuclear cooperation increasingly becoming a major strategic and economic pillar of bilateral relations.

TRUST Initiative Opens New Avenues for Cooperation

The Minister highlighted the importance of the U.S.-India TRUST Initiative launched during the February 2025 meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to Dr. Singh, the TRUST Initiative focuses on:

• Trusted technology partnerships

• Resilient supply chains

• Innovation ecosystems

• Advanced manufacturing cooperation

The initiative is expected to deepen collaboration between governments, industries, research institutions, startups, and academia in critical and emerging technology sectors.

Areas identified for cooperation include:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Semiconductors

• Biotechnology

• Quantum technologies

• Advanced materials

• Critical minerals

• Clean energy

• Space technologies

The Minister said the initiative provides a strong institutional framework for expanding long-term strategic cooperation between the two countries.

India Targets 100 GW Nuclear Power Capacity by 2047

Dr. Jitendra Singh outlined India's ambitious clean energy roadmap under the vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047."

He said India plans to expand its nuclear power generation capacity from the current 8.8 gigawatts (GW) to 100 GW by the year 2047 through a phased expansion programme.

The Minister noted that India's rapidly growing nuclear energy sector is creating substantial opportunities for:

• Global manufacturing partnerships

• Technology transfer and cooperation

• Supply chain integration

• Advanced scientific research

• Infrastructure development

He said nuclear energy will play a critical role in helping India meet its long-term energy security and carbon reduction goals while supporting industrial growth.

SHANTI Act 2025 Opens Door for Greater Private Participation

One of the key developments highlighted during the meeting was India's recent enactment of the SHANTI Act, 2025.

Dr. Jitendra Singh described the legislation as a major policy reform designed to facilitate greater participation of the private sector — including foreign companies — in India's nuclear energy ecosystem.

The Minister said the new law aims to create a more investment-friendly environment by encouraging:

• Private investment in nuclear infrastructure

• Industrial collaboration

• Manufacturing partnerships

• Technology cooperation

• Research and innovation partnerships

He added that the implementation framework for the Act is currently being finalised to further strengthen collaboration opportunities in the sector.

The reform is being viewed as a major shift in India's traditionally state-dominated nuclear energy framework.

India Advances Small Modular Reactor Programme

The discussions also focused on India's plans to develop Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are increasingly seen globally as a safer, more flexible, and scalable nuclear energy solution.

Dr. Singh said the Indian government has allocated nearly ₹20,000 crore toward SMR development and associated technologies.

He noted that there is significant scope for India–U.S. cooperation in advanced nuclear technologies, including:

• Micro-reactors

• AI-enabled nuclear safety systems

• Scientific computing

• Nuclear energy modelling

• Institutional capacity building

SMRs are expected to become an important component of future clean energy systems because of their lower costs, modular design, and ability to support remote and industrial energy requirements.

Progress Reviewed on Key Bilateral Nuclear Projects

The meeting reviewed progress on several ongoing India–U.S. collaborative projects and strategic initiatives.

Among the major projects discussed was the proposed Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear power project at Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh, one of the largest planned civil nuclear collaborations between the two countries.

The discussions also covered cooperation under the:

• Indo-U.S. Civil Nuclear Energy Working Group (CNEWG)

• Hydrogen production and integrated energy systems initiatives

• Machine learning and AI applications in nuclear systems

• Rare earth collaboration projects

• High-intensity superconducting proton accelerator technologies through Fermilab partnerships

Officials noted that these initiatives represent growing technological convergence between India and the United States in strategic sectors.

LIGO-India Project Highlighted as Landmark Scientific Collaboration

The meeting further reviewed progress on the LIGO-India project, one of the world's most advanced scientific collaborations in gravitational wave research.

The project is being jointly implemented by the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Science & Technology in collaboration with the U.S.-based LIGO Laboratory and the National Science Foundation.

Approved with a budget allocation of ₹2,600 crore, LIGO-India is regarded as one of the most important examples of high-end scientific cooperation between India and the United States.

The project aims to strengthen India's participation in global astrophysics and gravitational wave research while advancing domestic scientific capabilities and research infrastructure.

Shared Commitment to Clean Energy and Innovation

The interaction concluded with both sides expressing a strong commitment to expanding practical, industry-led cooperation in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, nuclear technology, and innovation-driven sectors.

Officials from both countries emphasised that deeper India–U.S. collaboration in nuclear energy and emerging technologies will play an important role in addressing future energy demands, strengthening technological resilience, and supporting sustainable economic growth.

The discussions reflect the broader strategic partnership between India and the United States, which continues to expand across areas including defence, technology, energy security, scientific research, and critical supply chains.