During the India-Russia Summit held on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed significant steps to deepen cooperation in nuclear energy, including the potential establishment of a second nuclear power plant in India using Russian reactors and collaboration on small modular reactors (SMRs). The discussions underscored the importance of nuclear energy as a key component of India’s clean energy transition and Russia’s longstanding role as a partner in India’s civil nuclear sector.

Energy security remains a critical pillar of the India-Russia strategic partnership. In their joint media interaction following the summit, Modi emphasized that nuclear energy cooperation is a “win-win” arrangement, vital for meeting India’s growing energy requirements and advancing the clean energy goals of both nations. Speaking in Hindi, Modi noted that the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) in Tamil Nadu, which is being developed with Russian assistance, serves as a benchmark for future projects and a symbol of successful bilateral collaboration in civil nuclear energy.

Russia’s state-run nuclear corporation, Rosatom, is providing six VVER-1000 reactors for Kudankulam, which together will generate a total installed capacity of 6,000 MW. Putin highlighted that two reactors have already been connected to India’s energy grid, contributing to affordable and clean electricity for households and enterprises across the country. He also mentioned the potential for extending nuclear cooperation to small modular reactors, floating nuclear power plants, and non-energy applications, including uses in medicine and agriculture.

Ahead of the summit, Russian officials indicated that Rosatom’s leadership would present proposals for cooperation on small modular reactors, a technology that India is actively pursuing through its own design and development program. SMRs are viewed as a flexible, scalable solution to complement India’s large nuclear power plants, offering potential for faster deployment and improved safety features.

The joint statement issued after the summit reaffirmed both countries’ intention to broaden cooperation in nuclear energy across several dimensions. These include collaboration on the nuclear fuel cycle, life cycle support for the operating Kudankulam plant, and non-power applications. The statement emphasized that both sides would draft a new agenda for peaceful uses of atomic energy and related high-technology projects, aligning with India’s ambitious target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2047.

A critical part of the discussion focused on identifying a second site in India for a nuclear power plant with Russian reactors. According to the joint statement, the Indian side “will strive to finalise formal allotment of the second site in accordance with earlier signed agreements.” While site selection is a complex process that requires environmental assessments and detailed planning, both countries expressed their commitment to advancing this project in line with the strategic and technical frameworks already established.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri elaborated on the operational aspects, noting that shipments for the third and fourth reactors at Kudankulam are already underway, and negotiations are ongoing for supplies for the fifth and sixth reactors. He stressed that selecting a site for the second plant involves careful consideration of environmental and regulatory factors, with the Department of Atomic Energy playing a key role in the decision-making process.

The summit also included discussions on accelerating technical and commercial deliberations related to the VVER reactors of Russian design. Both countries agreed to explore localization and joint manufacturing of nuclear equipment and fuel assemblies for large-capacity Russian-designed power plants. This focus on localization aims to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities in India while ensuring adherence to international nuclear safety and quality standards.

The dialogue on small modular reactors and potential floating nuclear power plants signals an expanded vision for India-Russia nuclear collaboration. SMRs, due to their compact design and modular construction, can be deployed in regions with limited infrastructure and can complement India’s existing nuclear fleet. Floating nuclear plants, meanwhile, offer innovative solutions for coastal or remote energy requirements, opening possibilities for strategic and regional energy security.

The discussions at the summit also reaffirmed the broader strategic alignment between India and Russia in the nuclear domain. Both countries underscored the importance of long-term cooperation in research and development, regulatory alignment, and knowledge transfer. Beyond power generation, the summit explored applications in sectors such as medicine, agriculture, and industrial use of nuclear technologies, reflecting a holistic approach to civil nuclear partnership.

India’s collaboration with Russia on nuclear energy extends over decades, with Kudankulam being the flagship project demonstrating the operational and technological compatibility of Russian reactors with Indian systems. The successful integration of VVER-1000 reactors into India’s energy grid has strengthened confidence in expanding bilateral nuclear projects and exploring next-generation technologies like SMRs.

In conclusion, the India-Russia Summit highlighted nuclear energy as a cornerstone of bilateral strategic cooperation. The discussions on establishing a second nuclear power plant, advancing small modular reactors, and exploring non-power nuclear applications underscore a long-term vision for sustainable, secure, and technologically advanced energy solutions. Both countries expressed commitment to accelerating technical, commercial, and regulatory processes to ensure the timely implementation of ongoing and future nuclear projects, thereby bolstering India’s energy security and contributing to global clean energy objectives.