New Delhi: Strengthening cooperation in nuclear energy was a key highlight of the India-Russia Summit held on Friday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin discussed a range of initiatives aimed at boosting India’s clean energy capacity. Among the topics on the agenda were small modular reactors (SMRs), floating nuclear plants, and the selection of a site for India’s second nuclear power plant using Russian reactors.

Speaking at a joint media interaction after the summit, Prime Minister Modi described energy security as a “strong and vital pillar” of the India-Russia partnership, underlining the decades-long cooperation in civil nuclear energy. He emphasised that this collaboration has been instrumental in advancing shared clean energy goals, particularly as India seeks to expand its nuclear power capacity to meet rising domestic demand. “We will continue to take this win-win cooperation forward,” Modi said in Hindi.

President Putin highlighted the ongoing implementation of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu, a project being constructed with the assistance of Russia’s state-run Rosatom corporation. Kudankulam currently has six VVER-1000 reactors under development, which together will provide an installed capacity of 6,000 MW. Two of these reactors have already been connected to the energy grid, supplying cheap and clean electricity to both households and industries across India. Putin noted, “Getting this nuclear power plant to full power output will make an impressive contribution to the energy requirement of India.”

The summit also explored the prospects of small modular reactors and floating nuclear plants, with potential applications beyond electricity generation. President Putin remarked that nuclear technologies could also support non-energy sectors such as medicine and agriculture. Officials familiar with the discussions said that the Rosatom chief was expected to present India with proposals for collaboration on SMRs, complementing India’s own domestic development program for these compact reactors.

A joint statement released after the summit underscored both countries’ commitment to broadening cooperation in nuclear energy. This includes fuel cycle management, life cycle support for the operational Kudankulam facility, and non-power applications of nuclear technology. The statement also outlined plans to draft a new agenda for peaceful uses of atomic energy and related high-technology areas. This effort aligns with India’s ambitious goal of increasing nuclear energy capacity to 100 GW by 2047.

The selection of a second site for a Russian-assisted nuclear power plant in India was another important point of discussion. The joint statement noted that both sides “recognized the importance of further discussion on the second site,” and that India “will strive to finalise formal allotment of the second site in accordance with earlier signed agreements.” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri provided further clarity, noting that while discussions on the second site have been ongoing for some time, the process is complex and must account for environmental factors. He added that the Department of Atomic Energy is reviewing these considerations to ensure the site selection meets all regulatory and safety requirements.

On the technical front, the summit reaffirmed commitments to accelerate negotiations on VVER reactors of Russian design, including localisation and joint manufacturing of nuclear equipment and fuel assemblies for these large-capacity plants. The two sides also discussed ongoing shipments for the third and fourth reactors at Kudankulam, while work continues to finalise supply agreements for the fifth and sixth reactors.

Analysts noted that cooperation on small modular reactors could be particularly significant for India’s energy strategy. SMRs offer the advantages of scalability, lower capital investment, and enhanced safety features compared with traditional large reactors. They can also support decentralized power generation in regions where extending large grid infrastructure is challenging. Joint research and development in SMRs could therefore help India accelerate clean energy deployment while fostering technological collaboration with Russia.

The summit reflected a broader strategic vision for India-Russia relations, with civil nuclear cooperation forming a central pillar. Both countries also signalled their interest in using the relationship as a platform for advancing high-tech projects, including nuclear applications in healthcare, agriculture, and industrial processes. The discussions underscored the potential for mutual benefit from knowledge transfer, joint manufacturing, and shared expertise in nuclear technology.

As India continues to diversify its energy mix and pursue ambitious decarbonisation targets, collaboration on nuclear energy with Russia is expected to play a key role. The Kudankulam project alone, once fully operational, will provide a substantial contribution to India’s electricity supply while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Expanding cooperation to include small modular reactors and a second nuclear power plant site represents a strategic step toward enhancing energy security and supporting India’s climate goals.

In summary, the India-Russia Summit not only reinforced the long-standing partnership in civil nuclear energy but also set the stage for future collaboration in advanced nuclear technologies. With technical, commercial, and regulatory frameworks under discussion, both sides signalled their intention to maintain momentum in clean energy initiatives while exploring new avenues for cooperation across multiple sectors.