The building blocks of an India-U.S. energy future, Pg8

• India-U.S. energy ties now focus on critical minerals, nuclear energy, and clean tech.

  • A MoU signed in 2024 to diversify supply chains for critical minerals and reduce China dependency.

  • India aims to meet 20 GW nuclear capacity by 2047, up from ~8 GW now.

  • Strategic partnership seeks joint development in battery tech, small modular reactors (SMRs), and clean hydrogen.

  • India to co-develop traceability systems, explore blockchain for mineral tracking, and expand clean energy R&D.

• Energy Security Principles:

  • Secure energy at predictable prices

    • Avoid supply disruptions

    • Build a sustainable and clean energy system

  • Critical Minerals Compact:

    • U.S.-India to share strategic stocks, build resilient supply chains

    • Use institutions like US Strategic Petroleum Reserve and India’s stockpile

    • Explore Quad-level cooperation

  • Clean Tech Investments:

    • Push for modular nuclear reactors, green hydrogen, and smart battery storage

    • Expand India-U.S. Clean Energy 2030 agenda with defined benchmarks

  • Private Sector Role:

    • Accelerate project timelines

    • Standardise designs

    • Offer long-term purchase agreements for bankability

  • Nuclear Strategy:

    • Reliable base power to balance renewables’ intermittency

    • India’s ambitious expansion plans from 7 GW to 20 GW by 2047

    • Improve nuclear safety, decommissioning protocols, and waste disposal with U.S. collaboration

• Critical Minerals: Elements essential for clean tech like batteries, wind turbines, and semiconductors (e.g., lithium, cobalt, rare earths).

  • Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): New-age nuclear plants with reduced size and enhanced safety, deployable with minimal spatial and financial footprint.

  • Traceability Blockchain: Tech to track and verify mineral origin, promoting supply chain transparency.

• Strengthens India-U.S. strategic energy axis, vital in global geopolitics.

  • Reduces India’s dependence on China for energy components.

  • Bolsters Make in India and energy transition goals.

  • Anchors India’s vision of a clean, resilient, long-term energy ecosystem.

Mains Mock Question:

Evaluate the role of critical minerals and nuclear energy in shaping India's energy security. How can Indo-U.S. energy cooperation contribute to building a resilient and sustainable energy future?