U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan marked the conclusion of his term with a significant visit to India, where he announced a pivotal advancement in U.S.-India civil nuclear collaboration. During a session titled “The United States and India: Building a Shared Future” at IIT Delhi, Sullivan disclosed that the U.S. is in the process of finalizing the removal of longstanding regulations that have impeded cooperation between Indian nuclear organizations and American firms.Sullivan reflected on the unrealized potential of civil nuclear collaboration, initially envisioned nearly twenty years ago by former President George W. Bush and former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. He stated, “While a vision for civil nuclear cooperation was articulated two decades ago, it has yet to be fully achieved. The Biden administration is now taking significant measures to eliminate regulatory obstacles and unlock the possibilities for a transformative partnership in this domain.” The proposed changes will enable Indian entities, previously constrained by U.S. regulations, to engage in extensive collaboration with American private sector companies, scientists, and technologists.
Sullivan characterized this development as a pivotal moment, not only for bilateral relations but also for the progress of clean energy technologies and innovations in artificial intelligence and other vital sectors. He emphasized, “This partnership is about creating opportunities for American and Indian companies to collaborate, not only in nuclear energy but also in developing sustainable, clean energy solutions for the future.”During his visit, Sullivan also engaged with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who welcomed the announcement and underscored the strengthening of the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Modi remarked, “The partnership has reached new heights in technology, defense, space, and now nuclear cooperation. We look forward to building on this momentum for the benefit of our two nations and for the greater good of the world,” in a post shared on X. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed his appreciation to Sullivan for his contributions to enhancing the bilateral relationship during the last four years. Sullivan’s declaration represents a significant milestone in fulfilling the long-anticipated commitment to U.S.-India civil nuclear cooperation, while also paving the way for expanded technological and energy collaborations in the future.
