India, France Review Cooperation in Civil Nuclear Energy

• India and France reviewed their collaboration in civil nuclear energy
• Discussions included strengthening ties in defence, counter-terrorism, innovation, technology, space, and trilateral cooperation
• Both sides discussed international developments, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict

Recently, India and France thoroughly assessed the status of their civil nuclear energy partnership, examining aspects as small and advanced modular reactors and discussing possible joint projects with third countries, said the Ministry of External Affairs. India France nuclear cooperation was reviewed to strengthen the civil nuclear energy partnership.

The review was conducted in the format of a meeting of the bilateral Special Task Force on Civil Nuclear Energy co-led by India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Anne-Marie Descotes, Secretary-General of the French Foreign Ministry, in New Delhi. The discussions focused on nuclear energy projects, India France energy collaboration, and enhancing Indo-French nuclear ties.

Both sides engaged in a comprehensive review of the state of civil nuclear cooperation from the previous year by reviewing progressive engagement and exchanges from various meetings and consultations.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs stated, "They reaffirmed the importance of engagement in emerging technologies like small and advanced modular reactors".

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Earlier this year, in February, India and France had both agreed to a declaration of intent to cooperate on small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs), technologies that are highly regarded in supporting green energy needs in data centers and AI hubs.

Alongside nuclear cooperation, Misri and Descotes addressed a wider range of developments in the bilateral partnership, including possible cooperation in defence, counter-terrorism, innovation and technology, and space. They explored opportunities for trilateral cooperation with other countries to enhance cooperation.

The discussions covered global and regional developments, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and challenges in West Asia. The meeting shared the again reaffirmed the common strategic vision between India and France, emphasizing that advancing cooperation in civil nuclear energy and other strategic sectors should go hand in hand with joint action to meet international and regional challenges.