Wed Feb 12 15:17:18 UTC 2025: ## India and France Partner to Develop Next-Generation Nuclear Reactors

**Paris, France** – India and France have announced a significant collaboration in the development of advanced nuclear reactors, aiming to bolster energy security and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron, the two nations signed a letter of intent focusing on the joint development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs).

SMRs, smaller and factory-produced reactors, are seen as a key technology for future nuclear power generation. The collaboration will encompass co-designing, co-developing, and co-producing these reactors, leveraging India’s existing nuclear infrastructure. This joint effort aims to overcome challenges encountered in larger, conventional nuclear projects.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted the rapid progress in this area, stating that the letter of intent reflects the strong belief in the potential of SMRs and AMRs. He emphasized the benefits of early collaboration, allowing both countries to share expertise and resources.

The partnership builds upon existing India-France cooperation in civil nuclear energy, notably the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant Project. The two countries also renewed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with the Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP) and agreed to expand training and education programs for nuclear professionals.

India’s ambitious plan to increase its nuclear energy capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2047, as part of its broader clean energy strategy, underpins this collaboration. The recent announcement of a ₹20,000 crore ($2.4 billion USD) Nuclear Energy Mission further underscores India’s commitment to developing and deploying SMR technology, with a target of at least five domestically developed SMRs operational by 2033. Currently, nuclear power contributes approximately 1.8% of India’s total installed power capacity, resulting in significant carbon dioxide emission reductions. This new partnership with France is expected to significantly accelerate India’s progress towards its clean energy goals.

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