India, US look to deepen civil nuclear cooperation

Top officials from India and the United States met on Wednesday to discuss the growth of civil nuclear cooperation between the two nations. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India, held talks with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Washington D.C. The discussions took place ahead of the ministerial launch of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) initiative.

Mohanty, who is also the Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy in India, was in the US for the ATLAS initiative launch. The discussions centered on the progress of bilateral civil nuclear cooperation and policy measures to strengthen India-US Civil Nuclear Cooperation, mutually benefiting both countries.

The meeting occurred as India continues to open its civil nuclear energy sector to private players, aiming to build 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. Several US firms in the nuclear energy sector have shown interest in the Indian market and are exploring investment and partnership opportunities.

The IAEA's ATLAS initiative aims to support the maritime industry's exploration of small modular reactors (SMRs) for powering civilian ships and providing offshore energy. As operators consider alternative fuels and seek long-term energy security, the initiative will address legal and regulatory frameworks, safety, security, safeguards, and liability. It will also strengthen collaboration between the nuclear and maritime sectors, identifying key challenges, gaps, and areas requiring harmonization.

The ATLAS Launch Event is expected to create strong momentum and visibility for the initiative, securing high-level political endorsement and fostering engagement across the nuclear and maritime sectors. By identifying key challenges and gaps, the event aims to develop a clear, actionable, and broadly supported roadmap for ATLAS.