Power couple: How India and Russia reignited their atomic bond

As New Delhi accelerates its nuclear program, a legacy of cooperation with Moscow should remain key to its strategy

In an era of shifting geopolitics and global climate imperatives, India and Russia stand at the forefront of a nuclear energy revolution. New Delhi has announced that it is planning to build five indigenously-manufactured small modular reactors (SMR) – named Bharat nuclear reactors – in the next few years with the help of private participation. The ambitious plan to generate 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2047 is functional with a 170% increase in the nuclear energy budget in the last decade. 

The country’s federal budget for the 2025 financial year has laid the groundwork for a nuclear renaissance. This includes a substantial 200 billion rupees ($2.3 billion) allocation for SMR development – India aims to operationalize at least five indigenous SMRs by 2033, the document states. The budget also proposed reforms to attract private investments, signaling India’s decisive shift towards energy independence. 

A crucial aspect of this vision is deepening ties with Russia, India’s most enduring nuclear partner. For Russia, India’s nuclear push presents an opportunity to further cement its position as a pivotal partner in India’s energy future, leveraging decades of successful collaboration.

Technology partnership

India and Russia’s nuclear partnership dates to the late 1980s, culminating in the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP), a testament to their shared commitment to peaceful nuclear energy. Rosatom built the 2,000 MW Kudankulam units, with four more reactors under construction, reinforcing Russia’s reputation as a reliable partner.

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Russia’s Rosatom, already a key player in India’s nuclear landscape, has shown interest in developing SMRs for India’s diverse energy needs, particularly for powering remote regions and decarbonizing heavy industries. With Rosatom’s expertise in floating SMRs like the Akademik Lomonosov, Russia can help India fast-track SMR deployment, bringing flexible and scalable nuclear power to underserved areas.

The Indian government’s push for SMRs aligns seamlessly with Russia’s technological leadership. Russia has pioneered lead-cooled fast reactors and floating nuclear plants, technologies that can address India’s geographic and industrial energy challenges.

India’s key nuclear research body, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), based in Mumbai, is actively developing Bharat Small Reactors, and Russian design expertise could enhance these efforts. By partnering with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), Rosatom can ensure safe, efficient reactor deployment while providing training and operational support.

Sectorial reforms 

Development of India’s nuclear sector has been plagued with a host of regulatory barriers, liability concerns, and geopolitical pressures. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) – enacted in 2010 with a view to provide prompt compensation to the victims for damage caused by a nuclear incident through a no-fault liability regime – deterred private investment. However, New Delhi is now revising liability norms to attract foreign investors. 

The CLNDA’s impact on India-Russia collaboration has been limited so far due to the government-to-government (G2G) nature of the projects being implemented. For instance, the KNPP continued under a sovereign framework, with liability provisions addressed through bilateral agreements. This G2G structure shields Russian state entities like Rosatom from direct liability, enabling ongoing cooperation even under existing regulations. However, the reforms could unlock Russian private capital and expedite SMR rollouts.

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Furthermore, achieving 100 GW nuclear capacity will require nearly $450 billion investment over the next two decades. To address this, India is exploring public-private partnerships, foreign direct investment, and Sovereign Green Bonds. Russia, with its state-backed nuclear financing models, can help mitigate financial risks, offering concessional loans like those provided for KNPP.

Certainly, Russia is not the only global nuclear industry leader competing for the opportunities in the Indian marker. The US and France are both eager to offer India SMR solutions, with firms like NuScale and EDF actively promoting their technologies. Yet, concerns over the CLNDA have historically strained negotiations with Western firms, as they sought greater liability protection. Russia’s ability to bypass this hurdle through G2G frameworks gives it a comparative edge in securing long-term nuclear cooperation with India.

Additionally, given public skepticism over nuclear energy projects and potential resistance like in cases of the proposed Jaitapur project, Russia’s exemplary safety record and proactive public engagement strategies can serve as a model. By collaborating on transparency initiatives and public outreach programs, India and Russia can jointly build confidence in nuclear energy’s safety and sustainability.

Russia’s approach to post-Fukushima safety enhancements, including passive safety systems and next-generation reactor designs, can inform India’s nuclear policy, ensuring public concerns are addressed with cutting-edge safety protocols.

Scope for innovation

India’s leadership in thorium-based reactors and Russia’s advancements in fast neutron reactors create immense potential for joint R&D. The 2025 budget’s $2.31 billion nuclear sector R&D pledge could be amplified through deeper Indo-Russian collaboration, accelerating the development of molten salt reactors and high-temperature gas-cooled reactors.

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Additionally, Russia’s expertise in spent fuel reprocessing can help India manage nuclear waste more efficiently, closing the fuel cycle and enhancing long-term sustainability.

Beyond technology and financing, nuclear cooperation strengthens India-Russia geopolitical ties. As BRICS+ nations navigate a multipolar world, energy security becomes a strategic pillar of their partnership. By jointly developing advanced nuclear technologies, India and Russia can lead the Global South’s transition to clean energy, reducing reliance on Western-dominated energy systems.