New Delhi, 11 February 2025: Union Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said nuclear energy will be a key topic in energy discussions, particularly in the Indian context, as its commercial expansion has yet to take place despite a nuclear agreement with the United States.
His remarks come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US later this week, where he is set to meet President Donald Trump and discuss a range of issues, including energy.
“I would be surprised if sourcing energy from the US is not part of the discussions,” Puri said, adding that Trump’s push for increased energy supply to the market and lower global prices is beneficial for energy-dependent nations like India.
Puri also noted that while nuclear power is an efficient and cost-effective energy source, its adoption follows a structured process. “This will certainly be a discussion point in major forums,” he said. He recalled that India had signed a civilian nuclear deal with the US and an India-specific IAEA safeguards agreement, but commercial agreements never materialized. However, discussions have now shifted toward small modular reactors (SMRs).
The Indian government recently announced a ₹20,000-crore nuclear energy mission, aimed at developing at least 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047. The initiative, outlined in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget speech, focuses on research and development of SMRs.
Reflecting on his previous diplomatic experience, Puri said he had closely observed Trump’s rise to power. “During my tenure as India’s permanent representative to the UN, I had the privilege of knowing Trump before he became President. I also lived in Trump Tower and attended its annual gatherings,” he said.
Puri also pointed to India’s deep integration with global markets, stating that 50% of the country’s GDP is tied to the external sector. He welcomed the US administration’s stance on boosting energy supply, calling it “music to my ears.”
“The world has never faced an energy shortage; the real issue is energy poverty,” he said, citing that 1.18 billion people lack access to energy, 750 million live without electricity, and 2 billion lack clean cooking solutions.
“This is a solvable problem, and it should be resolved quickly,” he added.
