The Uranium rush: Inside India's scramble to fuel its nuclear ambitions
India is actively seeking long-term uranium supply agreements with countries like Uzbekistan to fuel its ambitious nuclear energy expansion. The government aims to increase nuclear capacity from 8.78 GW to 100 GW by 2047, necessitating a massive increase in fuel imports.
Why it matters
Securing a stable uranium supply is critical for India's energy security and its transition toward cleaner, large-scale power generation.
Last month, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tashkent, the headline takeaway was diplomatic. India and Uzbekistan agreed to elevate their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and set a target of $5 billion in annual bilateral trade by 2030.But tucked into the joint statement was a line that could matter far more to India’s power planners than the trade target: the two countries agreed to work towards a long-term framework for uranium supplies.PM Modi had told delegates in Tashkent that India would "establish a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium", describing it as the next step in the two countries' energy cooperation.It is easy to overlook why a single line on uranium in a joint statement matters.
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