United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced today that the US is finalizing measures to eliminate obstacles in its civil nuclear partnership with Indian entities. Speaking in New Delhi, Mr. Sullivan emphasized the significance of advancing the cooperation that began nearly two decades ago.
"Although former President George W. Bush and former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh outlined a vision for civil nuclear collaboration nearly 20 years ago, it remains unrealized. We are now taking steps to change that," said Mr. Sullivan during his address.
He added that the formal documentation to clear these barriers will be completed soon, enabling India to access previously restricted nuclear technologies from the US. This move is expected to boost India's nuclear energy sector, which has long been hampered by liability issues that diverge from international norms.
The ongoing negotiations aim to address Indian liability laws, which currently place the financial burden of any nuclear accident on manufacturers, rather than operators. Resolving this issue is critical to advancing the supply of US nuclear reactors to India, a dialogue that began in the mid-2000s.
The landmark civil nuclear deal, signed in 2007 by then-President George W. Bush, opened the doors for the US to share civilian nuclear technology with India. However, liability challenges have slowed its implementation.
In 2019, both nations agreed to build six US nuclear power plants in India, though progress has been delayed. India aims to increase its nuclear power capacity by 20,000 MW by 2030, a target deferred due to earlier setbacks in partnerships with foreign power plant manufacturers.
Mr. Sullivan’s visit comes two weeks before Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. During his trip, key discussions are expected to cover topics such as Chinese upstream dams, artificial intelligence, space cooperation, military licensing, and addressing China’s economic overcapacity.
This renewed focus on civil nuclear collaboration reflects the strengthening strategic partnership between Washington and New Delhi, as both countries seek to align their goals in energy security and clean energy development.
0 Comments