U.S. Industry Delegation Meets Dr. Jitendra Singh on Private Investment in India’s Nuclear Sector – SHANTI Act & SMR Plans

<p>Union Minister <strong>Dr. Jitendra Singh</strong> hosted a high‑level delegation from the U.S. nuclear industry, facilitated by the <span class="key-term" data-definition="U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) – Platform that facilitates bilateral industry dialogue and joint projects in science and technology (GS4: Science & Technology)">U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF)</span>, to discuss avenues for private investment and technology collaboration in India’s nuclear power sector.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>Discussion of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="SHANTI Act – 2025 legislation that opens the nuclear sector to private and foreign participation, a key step for liberalising strategic industries (GS3: Economy)">SHANTI Act</span> and its implementation framework.</li> <li>Review of India’s <span class="key-term" data-definition="Nuclear Energy Mission – India’s strategic plan to raise nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047, supporting clean‑energy goals (GS3: Economy, GS4: Science & Technology)">Nuclear Energy Mission</span> and the target of expanding from <strong>8.8 GW</strong> to <strong>100 GW</strong> by 2047.</li> <li>Exploration of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) – Compact nuclear reactors that can be factory‑fabricated and deployed rapidly, offering flexibility and safety (GS4: Science & Technology)">SMRs</span> with an allocation of nearly <strong>₹20,000 crore</strong>.</li> <li>Launch of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="TRUST Initiative – U.S.–India framework for trusted technology partnerships, resilient supply chains and joint innovation in sectors like AI, semiconductors and quantum tech (GS4: Science & Technology)">TRUST Initiative</span>, first announced during the Modi‑Trump meeting on <strong>13 February 2025</strong>.</li> <li>Progress on joint projects such as the Westinghouse AP1000 plant at Kovvada, the <span class="key-term" data-definition="LIGO-India – Joint gravitational‑wave detection project between India and the U.S., aimed at advancing high‑precision scientific research (GS4: Science & Technology)">LIGO-India</span> detector, and collaborations under the Indo‑U.S. Civil Nuclear Energy Working Group.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>India’s current nuclear capacity stands at <strong>8.8 GW</strong>. Under the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Viksit Bharat 2047 – Vision for a developed, self‑reliant India by the year 2047, encompassing economic, technological and social milestones (GS1: History, GS3: Economy)">Viksit Bharat 2047</span> roadmap, the government aims to reach <strong>100 GW</strong> of nuclear power by 2047, a more than ten‑fold increase. The <span class="key-term" data-definition="SHANTI Act – 2025 legislation that opens the nuclear sector to private and foreign participation, a key step for liberalising strategic industries (GS3: Economy)">SHANTI Act</span> is expected to create an enabling ecosystem for foreign direct investment, manufacturing partnerships and technology transfer.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <ul> <li>Understanding the liberalisation of strategic sectors (e.g., nuclear) helps answer questions on India’s industrial policy and energy security (GS3: Economy).</li> <li>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="TRUST Initiative – U.S.–India framework for trusted technology partnerships, resilient supply chains and joint innovation in sectors like AI, semiconductors and quantum tech (GS4: Science & Technology)">TRUST Initiative</span> illustrates how bilateral frameworks are used to deepen technology cooperation, a topic in GS4.</li> <li>Projects like <span class="key-term" data-definition="LIGO-India – Joint gravitational‑wave detection project between India and the U.S., aimed at advancing high‑precision scientific research (GS4: Science & Technology)">LIGO-India</span> showcase India’s participation in cutting‑edge scientific research, relevant for questions on science diplomacy.</li> <li>The push for <span class="key-term" data-definition="Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) – Compact nuclear reactors that can be factory‑fabricated and deployed rapidly, offering flexibility and safety (GS4: Science & Technology)">SMRs</span> aligns with the country’s clean‑energy transition and climate commitments, linking to GS3 and GS4.</li> </ul> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>Both governments have committed to finalising the implementation framework of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="SHANTI Act – 2025 legislation that opens the nuclear sector to private and foreign participation, a key step for liberalising strategic industries (GS3: Economy)">SHANTI Act</span>, encouraging foreign investors to set up manufacturing units and R&amp;D centres. Continued dialogue under the <span class="key-term" data-definition="U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) – Platform that facilitates bilateral industry dialogue and joint projects in science and technology (GS4: Science & Technology)">USISPF</span> and the <span class="key-term" data-definition="TRUST Initiative – U.S.–India framework for trusted technology partnerships, resilient supply chains and joint innovation in sectors like AI, semiconductors and quantum tech (GS4: Science & Technology)">TRUST Initiative</span> will be crucial for translating policy intent into concrete projects, especially in SMR deployment, AI‑enabled safety systems and joint scientific infrastructure such as LIGO‑India.