News Desk
NEW DELHI — In the sprawling conference halls of the Raisina Dialogue 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar leaned across a table to greet Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency. It was March, and the air buzzed with the urgency of global challenges—climate change chief among them. Their handshake, captured in a fleeting frame, symbolized more than diplomatic courtesy. It marked a quiet but resolute alignment between India’s nuclear aspirations and the IAEA’s mission to ensure the safe, secure, and peaceful use of atomic power.
India, a nation of 1.4 billion, is racing toward a cleaner energy future. Its civil nuclear program stands as a linchpin in this effort, promising to deliver 22 gigawatts of power by 2031—a goal that could redefine its role in the global fight against climate change. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), a state-run giant, drives this expansion, its reactors humming across the country’s vast landscape. From the coastal flats of Tamil Nadu to the northern plains, these plants are not just engineering feats but symbols of a broader vision: decarbonization without compromise.
The IAEA, under Grossi’s steady hand, has emerged as a critical ally. Based in Vienna, the agency champions nuclear technology as a force for good—safe when harnessed, secure when guarded, peaceful when directed. For India, this partnership is a validation. It’s a nod to a program that has grown from modest beginnings in the 1950s into a sophisticated network, now poised to meet ambitious climate targets. The meeting in New Delhi, held on the sidelines of the dialogue from March 17 to 19, wasn’t just talk. It was a step toward deepening ties that could power India’s green revolution.
This isn’t a story of unchecked optimism, though. India’s nuclear journey has its complexities. Safety remains a relentless priority—every reactor, every technician, every protocol scrutinized to prevent disaster. The shadow of Fukushima looms large in global memory, and India knows it cannot afford missteps. Yet the country has built a reputation for rigor. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), a sprawling hub in Mumbai, churns out engineers and scientists through programs like the Orientation Course for Engineering Graduates, a yearlong crucible that guarantees jobs and expertise. These are the hands that will steer India’s nuclear future.
Grossi’s visit underscored a shared commitment. Nuclear power, he has argued, is indispensable for decarbonization—a view India echoes as it balances coal’s dominance with renewable dreams. The numbers tell part of the tale: NPCIL operates 24 reactors today, with more in the pipeline, aiming to triple capacity in under a decade. That’s not just ambition; it’s necessity. With climate deadlines tightening, India’s pledge at COP26 to reach net zero by 2070 hinges on such leaps.
The IAEA’s role isn’t just technical—it’s diplomatic, too. India, outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, has navigated a delicate path to global acceptance as a nuclear power. Its collaboration with the IAEA, dating back to the agency’s founding in 1957, lends legitimacy. Grossi’s presence in New Delhi, his discussions with Jaishankar, signal trust. They signal progress. And they hint at a future where India’s thorium-rich reserves—over 500,000 tons—might fuel a new generation of reactors, a prospect that sets it apart on the world stage.
Critics might point to risks: waste management, cost overruns, the specter of proliferation. These are real, and India doesn’t shy away from them.
The Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership near Haryana trains experts in security and safety, while NPCIL refines spent-fuel strategies.
The country’s approach is methodical, rooted in self-reliance—a trait forged through decades of sanctions and innovation. It’s a slow burn, not a sprint, but the trajectory is upward.
India’s nuclear program, backed by the IAEA’s expertise, is a beacon of what’s possible when a developing nation dares to dream big—and builds the capacity to match. As Grossi departed, the message was clear: India’s 22-gigawatt goal isn’t just a target. It’s a promise—to its people, to the planet, and to a partnership that could light the way forward.
