Anil Kakodkar urges NSG Membership and Accelerated Thorium Use – Implications of SHANTI Act

Overview : At a conference on building India’s nuclear ecosystem, Dr. Anil Kakodkar , member of the AEC , called for full membership of the NSG . He warned that the current waiver can be withdrawn, jeopardising uranium supply for the ambitious nuclear programme. Key Developments Kakodkar urged diplomatic channels to secure NSG membership. He emphasized faster deployment of thorium to reduce dependence on imported uranium. He highlighted legal constraints in the SHANTI Act , especially for novel reactor designs like molten‑salt reactors. Former UN ambassador T.S. Tirumurti noted rising global private capital and advanced manufacturing collaborations in nuclear energy. Prof. Manu Santhanam pointed to IIT‑Madras incubating startups that could benefit from the SHANTI Act’s provisions. Important Facts Current uranium supply India imports a large share of its uranium under the NSG waiver. The waiver is a temporary concession and can be revoked without extensive notice. Legal limits of the SHANTI Act The act restricts certain activities to government agencies. For example, a molten‑salt reactor design that integrates back‑end fuel processing inside the core would be prohibited under the current law. Three‑stage programme India’s long‑term nuclear strategy, the three‑stage programme , relies on securing fuel supplies and advancing indigenous technology. UPSC Relevance Understanding the NSG waiver and membership is crucial for GS3 questions on international nuclear non‑proliferation regimes. The SHANTI Act illustrates how legislation shapes scientific research, a frequent GS3 topic. The push for private capital and startups links to GS3’s focus on public‑private partnerships and self‑reliant development (GS4: Ethics & Governance). Thorium’s role connects to energy security, a recurring GS3 theme. Way Forward Accelerate diplomatic negotiations to convert the NSG waiver into full membership. Amend the SHANTI Act to allow private and academic entities to pursue innovative reactor designs, especially molten‑salt reactors . Boost R&D on thorium‑based reactors to align with the three‑stage programme. Encourage incubation of nuclear‑tech startups at institutions like IIT‑Madras, leveraging the SHANTI Act’s provisions. Foster international collaborations for advanced manufacturing and private financing in the nuclear sector. These steps would de‑risk uranium supply, fast‑track indigenous reactor development, and position India as a self‑reliant nuclear power.