BS EDIT: India’s nuclear thaw begins — will laws catch up?

By Business StandardPublished On Apr 1, 2025

A long-awaited breakthrough

Eighteen years after the Indo-US nuclear deal, Holtec gets US nod to transfer small modular reactor (SMR) tech to India

Who benefits

Holtec can share 30–300 Mw SMR tech with:

• Holtec Asia • Tata Consulting Engineers • Larsen & Toubro

Key limitations

No collaboration with NPCIL, NTPC, AERB

No third-party sharing without US consent

India must offer non-proliferation assurances

Laws that block progress

Atomic Energy Act restricts private participation

CLNDA’s clause 17(b) wrongly makes suppliers liable

Foreign firms stay away

Supplier liability has deterred global players like GE-Hitachi, Westinghouse, and Areva

A rare reform window

With a majority in Parliament, India must amend its laws to unlock nuclear investment and meet its clean energy goals