The United States is actively exploring opportunities for private investment and industry collaboration in India’s nuclear sector, as part of efforts to strengthen clean energy partnerships between the two nations.
On May 18, 2026, a high-level U.S. delegation comprising representatives from the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) met with Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh in New Delhi.
India has set ambitious targets to expand nuclear power capacity from the current 8.8 GW to 22 GW by 2032, and further to 100 GW by 2047 under the Viksit Bharat vision. Nuclear energy currently contributes about 3% of India’s electricity, generated from 24 reactors.
The U.S. delegation expressed interest in collaborating on advanced technologies, manufacturing, and supply chain development. Key focus areas include small modular reactors (SMRs), micro-reactors, AI-enabled safety systems, hydrogen production, rare earths, and superconducting accelerators.
India’s SHANTI Act, 2025, has opened the sector to greater foreign participation by allowing up to 49% foreign equity in nuclear projects and easing supplier liability rules. This reform has created new avenues for U.S. firms to invest and collaborate.
Discussions also covered progress on the Westinghouse AP1000 project at Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh, and joint scientific initiatives such as the LIGO-India gravitational-wave observatory, which is being developed with U.S. support.
The collaboration is expected to boost India’s clean energy transition, enhance technological innovation, and deepen strategic ties between the two countries in the nuclear domain.
