Shanti law in, US nuclear ‘mission’ on its way to tap new tie-ups, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• A US nuclear 'executive mission' will visit India from May 17-21 to explore opportunities following the SHANTI Act, 2025.
• The delegation, organized by the Nuclear Energy Institute and US India Strategic Partnership Forum, aims to assess India's nuclear energy sector.
• Meetings are scheduled with key figures including EAM S Jaishankar, Power Minister Manohar Lal, and potentially several state Chief Ministers.
• The SHANTI Act allows private players in nuclear operations and fuel management, previously controlled by the public sector.

Detailed Insights:

• The SHANTI Act, 2025 replaces the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, reshaping India's nuclear power sector regulations.
• The US delegation will meet with the Department of Atomic Energy, NITI Aayog, NPCIL, NTPC Ltd, and private sector companies like Reliance Industries, Adani Group, and Tata Power.
• India is interested in deploying imported Light Water Reactor (LWR) projects with foreign funding and exploring Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
• India's existing Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) face scalability issues and are less dominant globally compared to LWR technology.
• The government seeks nuclear collaborations to address the need for base load alternatives to coal and to secure capital investment.
• Concerns exist regarding the SHANTI Act's provisions on private sector involvement and liability in case of nuclear accidents.

Key Concepts Involved:

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