India and France to collaborate on advanced nuclear reactor development
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India and France have announced plans to jointly develop advanced nuclear reactors, reinforcing their commitment to energy security and a low-carbon future.
During a meeting in Paris, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasised the critical role of nuclear power in transitioning to clean energy.
As part of this collaboration, both nations signed a letter of intent to work on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs). SMRs are compact nuclear fission reactors that can be produced in factories and later installed at designated sites. Unlike traditional nuclear reactors, SMRs have a smaller capacity, typically under 300 megawatts, making them more flexible and efficient for energy generation.
A joint statement highlighted the long-standing civil nuclear partnership between India and France, particularly in connection with the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant Project. The leaders also welcomed the inaugural meeting of the Special Task Force on Civil Nuclear Energy, which will facilitate cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy applications.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri noted the rapid progress in SMR and AMR technology and stressed that both countries see significant potential in advancing this field. “This technology is still in its early stages, even in nations that have been working on it for some time. Our goal is to collaborate on co-designing, co-developing, and co-producing these reactors. This approach will help address challenges seen in traditional nuclear projects while leveraging India’s existing industrial ecosystem for nuclear power components,” he explained.
Further strengthening nuclear cooperation, India and France renewed their memorandum of understanding between India’s Department of Atomic Energy and France’s Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA). Both countries also committed to expanding training and educational programs for nuclear professionals.
India has set an ambitious target of generating 100 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2047 as part of its clean energy transition. Earlier this month, the Indian government announced a Nuclear Energy Mission with a budget of Rs 20,000 crore to support research and development in SMRs. Under this initiative, the country aims to have at least five domestically developed SMRs operational by 2033.
Currently, nuclear power contributes 1.8% of India’s total installed power capacity of 462 gigawatts and accounts for around 3% of total electricity generation. This sector plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions, helping India save approximately 41 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.