India and the United States have today discussed developments in bilateral civil nuclear cooperation and ways to further strengthen ties in the sector.
Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty met US Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Washington ahead of the launch of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea initiative.
The initiative will explore the use of small modular reactors to power civilian ships and provide offshore energy.
Mohanty, who is also Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, is in the US for the launch of an initiative of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to explore the use of small modular reactors to power civilian ships.
“The discussions focused on the ongoing developments in bilateral civil nuclear space and policy measures to further strengthen India-US Civil Nuclear Cooperation for mutual benefit of both the sides,” the Department of Atomic Energy said in a post on X.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of India opening up its civil nuclear energy
sector for private players as it eyes to build 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
Several US firms in the nuclear energy sector have evinced interest in the Indian market and are exploring avenues for investments and partnerships.
The ATLAS initiative of the IAEA will support the maritime industry’s exploration of small modular reactors (SMRs) to power civilian ships and to provide offshore energy, as operators consider alternative fuels and seek to strengthen long-term energy security.
The ATLAS Launch Event is expected to establish strong momentum and visibility for the initiative by securing high-level political endorsement
and fostering engagement across the nuclear and maritime sectors, the IAEA said.