News Brief
US Clears Path For Nuclear Collaboration With India; Lifts Restrictions On BARC, IGCAR, IRE
India-USA Flags
In a landmark development, the United States (US) on Wednesday (16 January) lifted restrictions on three key Indian nuclear entities, clearing a significant hurdle for civil nuclear collaboration between the two nations.
The decision, announced by the US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), is seen as a critical step in advancing the India-US civil nuclear partnership, 16 years after the historic pact was sealed.
The entities removed from the Entity List include the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Centre (IGCAR), and the Indian Rare Earths (IRE).
This move, coming just days before Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the US, is widely regarded as an outgoing gesture by the Biden administration to solidify bilateral ties.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, speaking at IIT-Delhi last week, confirmed the US’s commitment to "removing" regulatory barriers that have long impeded cooperation between Indian nuclear entities and American firms.
"Although former President (George W.) Bush and former Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh laid out a vision of civil nuclear cooperation nearly 20 years ago, we have yet to fully realise it," Sullivan remarked, adding that the Biden administration had now taken decisive steps to advance the partnership.
The agreement was heralded as a game-changer for India, allowing access to US civilian nuclear technology and materials while strengthening energy security.
However, progress has been hampered by regulatory and technical barriers.
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration Matthew Borman emphasised the strategic importance of this decision. "The removal of the three Indian entities will enable closer cooperation between the US and India to secure more resilient critical minerals and clean energy supply chains," Borman said.
The BIS echoed these sentiments, stating that lifting the restrictions would support joint research, development, and technology exchange, thereby aligning with shared energy security goals.
