US Lifts Restrictions on Three Key Indian Nuclear Organizations: What It Means for International Relations and Energy Collaboration

New Delhi:

The United States has taken a significant step by lifting restrictions on three key Indian nuclear organizations. This announcement comes just over a week after National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan revealed that the US was preparing to eliminate barriers for civil nuclear collaboration between Indian and American firms.

The three organizations affected are the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Centre (IGCAR), and Indian Rare Earths (IRE), according to the US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).

During a recent speech at IIT-Delhi, Sullivan highlighted that the US would remove regulations hindering cooperation between these Indian entities and US companies. This development is seen as a move by the outgoing Biden administration to support the long-standing India-US civil nuclear agreement established 16 years ago.

This decision comes just days ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. The journey began in July 2005, when then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George W. Bush unveiled an ambitious plan for civil nuclear energy cooperation. After extensive negotiations, the agreement was finalized about three years later, allowing the US to share civilian nuclear technology with India.

Matthew Borman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, stated that this change will foster closer ties between the US and India. It aims to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals and clean energy, supporting overall strategic goals in their partnership.

The BIS confirmed the modification to the Entity List for India, explaining that removing these three entities will help reduce barriers to advanced energy collaboration. This includes promoting joint research and technology sharing, ultimately advancing shared energy security goals.

Both nations are committed to peaceful nuclear cooperation and related research and development initiatives, which have already yielded benefits for both countries and their global partners.

Despite the groundwork laid nearly two decades ago by George W. Bush and Manmohan Singh, Sullivan noted that the full potential of civil nuclear cooperation is yet to be realized. He emphasized the Biden administration’s determination to take this significant step forward in solidifying the US-India partnership.

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