Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired a crucial bilateral meeting on US-India Civil Nuclear Commerce at Prithvi Bhavan, focusing on the expanding partnership between the two countries in science, technology, and clean energy. During the meeting, Dr. Singh announced that an Indian astronaut from the Gaganyaan Mission would soon join the International Space Station, marking a significant milestone in Indo-US space collaboration.
Dr. Singh emphasized the importance of the US-India partnership in securing global supply chains, particularly in semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and clean energy technologies, which are critical in today’s interconnected world. He highlighted India’s Green Hydrogen Mission as a key component of the country’s strategy to decarbonize heavy industry, transportation, and power generation, underlining its role in driving innovation in clean technologies and achieving global climate goals.
To support India’s clean energy transition, Dr. Singh revealed that the Indian government is exploring international partnerships, investing in research and development, and considering regulatory frameworks for the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). These reactors are expected to enhance India’s energy self-reliance and help meet climate commitments.
Drawing comparisons between India’s “Anusandhan” National Research Foundation (NRF) and the United States’ National Science Foundation (NSF), Dr. Singh highlighted the crucial role these institutions play in advancing scientific research and innovation.
Dr. Ravi Chandran, Secretary of Earth Sciences, highlighted progress in ocean energy and Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) technologies. Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, noted India’s focus on biomass-to-energy conversion and the advancement of biofuels.
Prof. Abhay Karandikar shared insights into India’s progress in emerging technologies such as data analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and machine learning, underscoring the strategic importance of innovation in these fields. Dr. N Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR, discussed India’s advancements in Lithium-Ion Battery development and indigenous battery manufacturing, stressing the need for sustainable and circular energy storage solutions.