New Delhi: India’s efforts to expand its nuclear energy programme received a significant endorsement from the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who described the country’s newly enacted Shanti Act as a positive step towards strengthening its nuclear sector and supporting future growth.
The legislation, officially known as the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act, seeks to reform the country’s nuclear liability framework and create a more favourable environment for investment and participation in the sector. The reforms are expected to address longstanding concerns surrounding liability provisions while encouraging greater private sector involvement in nuclear power development.
The endorsement comes as India pursues an ambitious strategy to significantly increase its nuclear power generation capacity over the coming decades. The country currently operates nearly two dozen nuclear power plants with a combined generation capacity of around 8 gigawatts. The government has outlined plans to expand this capacity dramatically, targeting nearly 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047 as part of its long term energy security and sustainability goals.
The IAEA chief noted that India has long been an important player in the global nuclear landscape as a user, developer and consumer of nuclear technology. He observed that the country’s evolving energy policy places greater emphasis on nuclear power, which is expected to play a growing role in meeting future energy demands.
The reforms are also expected to deepen cooperation between India and international nuclear institutions, while supporting efforts to diversify the nation’s energy mix. Expanding nuclear energy is viewed as an important step towards enhancing reliability in power generation and reducing dependence on conventional energy sources.
Addressing concerns about the safety of nuclear facilities in conflict zones, the IAEA chief acknowledged the challenges posed by recent incidents involving civilian nuclear installations in different parts of the world. However, he stressed that such events have not altered the broader global momentum toward nuclear energy expansion.
Experts believe the Shanti Act could become a key enabler of India’s nuclear ambitions by attracting investment, facilitating technology partnerships and accelerating project development. With strong international support and a clear long term vision, India is positioning itself to play an increasingly influential role in the future of global nuclear energy.
