New Delhi, Aug. 27:
India and the United States have discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector, signalling continued efforts by both countries to deepen strategic and technological ties.
The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy and exploring avenues to strengthen collaboration between the two countries.
Civil nuclear cooperation has been a significant component of the India-US strategic partnership since the landmark civil nuclear agreement between the two countries.
The partnership has sought to facilitate India’s access to nuclear technology, fuel and international civil nuclear markets while strengthening cooperation in energy and advanced technologies.
The latest discussions assume significance as India seeks to expand nuclear power as part of its long-term energy strategy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Nuclear energy is expected to play an important role in India’s efforts to meet rising electricity demand while pursuing lower-carbon sources of power.
Greater cooperation with the United States could potentially support technology partnerships, investment and the development of advanced nuclear systems.
The discussions also come amid broader efforts by New Delhi and Washington to strengthen strategic cooperation across defence, energy, technology and trade.
Both sides are expected to continue consultations on regulatory, technological and commercial aspects of civil nuclear cooperation.
For India, expanding nuclear capacity is increasingly being viewed as an important component of energy security, particularly as electricity demand rises with industrialisation and urbanisation.
The latest engagement indicates that civil nuclear energy remains an important pillar of the India-US strategic relationship.