Kakodkar warns on uranium waiver

Anil Kakodkar, member of India's Atomic Energy Commission, told diplomats at an IIT-Madras conference that India's current Nuclear Suppliers Group waiver is insufficient and vulnerable to reversal.

Waiver is not membership

Kakodkar said India benefits from NSG uranium access through a waiver, but stressed the critical difference: a waiver can be withdrawn, while membership would provide permanent security for the nuclear programme.

“We get a lot of uranium now from the international market, thanks to the NSG waiver. But, it is only a waiver. It is not a membership.”

Uranium availability is major risk

Kakodkar called on the diplomatic community to secure NSG membership, describing uranium availability as a major risk factor in building India's large nuclear programme and urging acceleration of thorium energy development.

“That waiver can be turned around without much difficulty. I request all those, who are engaged in diplomacy, to make sure that we get a membership of the NSG.”

SHANTI Act has design limits

Kakodkar identified restrictions in the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act, twenty twenty-five that prevent private sector nuclear reactor design and certain technologies like molten-salt reactors.

Global nuclear momentum rising

Former UN Permanent Representative T.S. Tirumurti said nuclear energy is experiencing renewed momentum worldwide, with private capital and international collaboration becoming central to the sector as India pursues ambitious capacity expansion targets.

Startups emerging in nuclear sector

IIT-Madras professor Manu Santhanam said the institute is incubating nuclear startups, expecting growth in the sector following the SHANTI Act, which has opened opportunities for ideas from younger entrepreneurs and innovators.

India at pivotal nuclear moment

DCIR Senior Advisor Balasubramanian C said India stands at a critical juncture to build a self-reliant, technology-driven nuclear ecosystem as the global nuclear landscape witnesses a clear revival and India pursues faster, more cost-effective deployment.