India Shares Nuclear Expertise to Boost Global Partnerships

India’s Bold Leap in Global Nuclear Diplomacy

At the 70th International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conference in Washington D.C., Atomic Energy Commission Chairperson Dr. A.K. Mohanty announced that India is prepared to share its nuclear expertise with the world. The statement follows India’s participation in the launch of the ATLAS initiative, its assumption of the Regional Co‑operative Agreement (RCA) chairmanship under Vishwa Bandhu Bharat, and key domestic policy milestones such as the Shanti Act. These moves underscore India’s ambition to transition from a regional nuclear power to a global facilitator of safe, low‑carbon nuclear technology.

Background: India’s Nuclear Journey

India’s nuclear program dates back to the 1950s with the construction of the first heavy‑water reactor, the 5‑MW research reactor at Trombay. Over the decades, India has developed indigenous pressurised heavy‑water reactors (PHWRs) and advanced reactors such as the Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) and the Small Modular Reactor (SMR). The country’s Nuclear Energy Mission, launched in 2010, aims to deliver 40 GW of nuclear capacity by 2030, integrating research, development, and deployment of reactors that meet stringent safety standards.

Key Milestones in 2025‑2026

• March 2025: India joined the launch of IAEA’s Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) initiative, signaling its entry into maritime nuclear power.
• May 2025: India assumed the chairmanship of the Regional Co‑operative Agreement (RCA) under the banner Vishwa Bandhu Bharat, focusing on research collaboration and technology dissemination across the Asia‑Pacific.
• December 2025: The Shanti Act was enacted to align India’s domestic liability provisions with global best practices for nuclear safety and civil liability.
• March 2026: Engineering procurement and construction contract for LIGO‑India in Hingoli was issued, marking a significant step in India’s scientific portfolio.

ATLAS Initiative: Shipping and Floating Plants

The ATLAS project, backed by the IAEA, explores the feasibility of deploying nuclear reactors aboard commercial vessels and floating power plants. India’s contribution will cover design guidelines, safety protocols, and fuel cycle support, drawing on decades of experience with PHWRs and the Fast Breeder Reactor program. By extending nuclear technology to the maritime domain, India aims to help countries reduce shipping emissions, a sector that contributes roughly 2.5 % of global CO₂ emissions.

Regional Cooperation Through RCA

Vishwa Bandhu Bharat, the thematic identity of India’s RCA chairmanship, reflects the country’s commitment to South‑South cooperation. The agreement prioritises joint research, technology transfer, and human resource development, especially in the areas of renewable‑energy integration and nuclear safety. Under this framework, India will host workshops on advanced reactor concepts and collaborate with partner countries on developing indigenous research infrastructures.

Scientific Advancements: LIGO‑India

The Laser Interferometry Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO‑India) in Hingoli is part of a global network that detects ripples in spacetime caused by cataclysmic astrophysical events. The March 2026 procurement contract marks a major financial commitment, with the project expected to create thousands of skilled jobs and position India as a leader in high‑precision instrumentation and data analysis. The observatory will also foster interdisciplinary collaboration between physicists, engineers, and data scientists, further strengthening India’s scientific ecosystem.

Domestic Policy Framework: The Shanti Act

Enacted in December 2025, the Shanti Act seeks to harmonise India’s civil liability regulations with international norms. The legislation provides a clear framework for liability, compensation, and dispute resolution, thereby enhancing investor confidence in nuclear projects. The Act also establishes a comprehensive insurance scheme that covers both on‑site and off‑site nuclear incidents, reflecting India’s proactive approach to risk management.

International Security Landscape

While India positions itself as a collaborative partner, the global security context remains complex. Pakistan’s nuclear security framework, highlighted by the Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security in collaboration with the IAEA, exemplifies the emphasis on regulatory oversight. Syria’s pledge of transparency—opening its doors to IAEA inspectors—underscores the importance of verification in nuclear affairs. These developments illustrate that India’s willingness to share expertise must be coupled with robust safeguards to maintain regional stability.

Implications for India’s Energy Sector

India’s nuclear expertise sharing has immediate and long‑term implications for the domestic energy market. By exporting knowledge on closed fuel cycles, India can help reduce the world’s reliance on fossil fuels, while simultaneously creating new domestic industries in fuel fabrication, waste management, and reactor maintenance. For Indian consumers, this translates into potential price stabilization and increased access to reliable, low‑carbon electricity, aligning with the government’s Climate Action Plan that targets a 40 % reduction in carbon intensity by 2030.

Future Outlook and What to Watch

Key developments to monitor include:

• The next IAEA General Conference, where India is expected to propose further international cooperation frameworks.
• Potential revisions to India’s Nuclear Regulatory Framework, aimed at simplifying licensing for foreign partners.
• Progress reports on the LIGO‑India project, particularly the integration of indigenous instrumentation with global data‑sharing protocols.
• Regional dialogues under Vishwa Bandhu Bharat, focusing on scaling up SMR deployment in partner countries.

These initiatives signal India’s evolving role from a nuclear consumer to a strategic knowledge broker, fostering safer, more sustainable nuclear technologies worldwide.