**Executive Summary**
On July 9, 2026, India and Australia finalized an Administrative Arrangement to operationalize their Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, securing long-term uranium supplies for India’s clean energy programme. This arrangement supports India's "Nuclear Energy Mission" goal of 100 GW capacity by 2047 and reinforces the SHANTI Act of 2025. The agreement ensures that all Australian uranium exports to India remain under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards while supporting India’s net-zero transition by 2070.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Bilateral Agreements and Strategic Cooperation**
* Finalization of the Administrative Arrangement under the India–Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement during the Third Annual Summit in Melbourne.
* Enables long-term exports of uranium from Australia, which holds over one-third of global uranium resources, to India for peaceful purposes.
* All Australian uranium supplied will be subject to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
* Australia reaffirmed its support for India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
**Policy and Regulatory Framework**
* The arrangement complements the SHANTI Act (enacted December 2025), providing the policy framework and fuel security necessary for nuclear expansion.
* Supports the goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
* Aligns with India's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and raising the share of non-fossil capacity.
**Nuclear Infrastructure and Technology Development**
* India currently operates 24 nuclear reactors (8.78 GW); 10 units (8000 MW) are under construction, and 10 more are in pre-project stages.
* The 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam attained first criticality on April 6, 2026, marking the start of the second stage of India’s nuclear programme.
* Allocation of ₹20,000 crore in the Union Budget 2025–26 for the development of indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
* The government aims to operationalize at least five indigenous SMRs by 2033.
* Long-term strategy focuses on transitioning to thorium-based reactors using abundant domestic thorium reserves.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Private Companies and Joint Ventures**
**Impact**
The SHANTI Act and assured uranium supply enable private entities to participate in building, owning, and operating nuclear power plants.
**Action Required**
Leverage the stable policy framework to invest in and implement nuclear power projects and joint ventures.
**Developers, Investors, and Industry**
**Impact**
Assured long-term fuel supplies provide greater confidence for project implementation and financial investment in the nuclear sector.
**Action Required**
Utilize the established procedures of the Administrative Arrangement to plan and execute long-term nuclear energy projects.
**Government of India (Department of Atomic Energy)**
**Impact**
Strengthens India’s fuel security and supports the advancement of the three-stage nuclear power programme, including the transition to thorium-based energy.
**Action Required**
Oversee the research and deployment of SMRs and FBRs while ensuring compliance with IAEA safeguards for imported fuel.
**Australian Uranium Suppliers**
**Impact**
Gains a stable, long-term export market for uranium within a defined civil nuclear cooperation framework.
**Action Required**
Adhere to the procedures established in the Administrative Arrangement for the export of uranium to India for peaceful purposes.
Key Entities Referenced
Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act: A legislative act enacted in 2025 that enables Indian private companies and joint ventures to build, own, and operate nuclear power plants.
India–Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement: The primary bilateral framework that anchors the partnership and enables the long-term export of Australian uranium to India for peaceful purposes.
Nuclear Energy Mission: A national strategic initiative that targets the expansion of India's nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by the year 2047.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): The global regulatory body responsible for implementing safeguards on nuclear materials to ensure their peaceful use.
Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG): An international grouping of nuclear supplier countries that governs guidelines for the export of nuclear materials, equipment, and technology.
PIB Backgrounder
India-Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation
Administrative Arrangement signed to secure long-term
Australian uranium for India’s clean energy programme
प्रव तथ: 14 JUL 2026 4:01PM by PIB Delhi
Fueling India's Long-term Nuclear Energy Programme
The Third India–Australia Annual Summit, held in Melbourne on 9 July 2026, marked a significant
milestone in bilateral relations. Both countries reaffirmed their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The Summit delivered outcomes across maritime security, energy security, cyber cooperation, critical
technologies, skill development and entrepreneurship, expanding collaboration in priority sectors.
A major outcome of the summit was the finalisation of the Administrative Arrangement under the
India–Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. It enables long-term exports of Australian
uranium to India for peaceful purposes under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
safeguards. Australia possesses the largest uranium resources globally, accounting for more than one-
third of the global total. Assured access to Australian uranium would strengthen the fuel base for India's
expanding nuclear power programme.
The Arrangement is also significant for India's long-term energy security and nuclear ambitions. It
complements the Nuclear Energy Mission, which targets 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
It also reinforces the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming
India (SHANTI) Act, enacted in December 2025. The Act enables participation by Indian private
companies and joint ventures in building, owning and operating nuclear power plants. Assured long-
term uranium supplies provide greater confidence to developers, investors and industry, supporting timely
project implementation. The SHANTI Act and the Administrative Arrangement provide the policy
framework and strengthen fuel security needed to expand nuclear power for energy security and support
sustained economic growth. Read More About the SHANTI Act.
India's Nuclear Energy LandscapeIndia is steadily expanding its nuclear power programme to strengthen energy security and support clean
economic growth. Backed by indigenous technologies and long-term planning, nuclear energy will play an
increasingly important role in India's low-carbon energy transition.
India currently operates 24 nuclear power reactors across seven sites with a total installed capacity
of 8.78 Gigawatt (GW).
Ten more reactor units with a combined capacity of 8000 Megawatt (MW) are under
construction. Pre-project activities for 10 additional reactors are also underway.
These reactors are Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs)
and Light Water Reactors (LWRs).
India mainly uses natural uranium fuel to run the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) to
produce nuclear energy. Plutonium is produced as a bye product.
The Australian uranium will ensure a steady supply of the primary fuel to run these reactors.
India's long-term strategy is centred on utilising its abundant thorium reserves for future nuclear
fuel, found mainly in the coastal sands of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. But
naturally occurring Thorium has to be first made fissile by neutron absorption inside a nuclear
reactor.
India is advancing Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) to utilise plutonium and support the transition to
thorium-based reactors.
The Government has allocated ₹20,000 crore in the Union Budget 2025–26, for the research,
design, development, and deployment of indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
SMRs typically generate up to 300 MWe of electricity. Their compact, modular design enables
factory-based manufacturing, faster construction, improved quality and phased deployment.
The Government aims to operationalise at least five indigenous SMRs by 2033.
With continued investments in advanced reactor technologies and domestic innovation, nuclear energy is
emerging as a reliable pillar of India's future energy mix.
Did You Know
India's indigenously built 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam attained
first criticality on 6 April 2026, marking the start of India’s second stage of its three-stage nuclear
power programme. Unlike conventional reactors, the PFBR uses plutonium recovered from spent fuel
of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and is designed to produce more nuclear fuel than it
consumes. It will eventually breed Uranium-233 from thorium, unlocking India's vast thorium
reserves for future-ready clean energy generation. Developed indigenously by the Department of
Atomic Energy, the reactor is a major milestone, strengthening India's reliable fuel supply, reducing
dependence on imported uranium, and advancing the country's net-zero ambition by 2070. Click to Rea
d More: A New Chapter in India's Nuclear Journey.
A New Chapter in India–Australia Nuclear Cooperation
India and Australia's civil nuclear partnership is anchored in the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement,
signed in September 2014 and entered into force in November 2015.
On 9 July 2026, both countries finalised the Administrative Arrangement, operationalizing the
Agreement.
The Arrangement enables long-term exports of Australian uranium to India for peaceful
purposes.Under Australian policy, uranium is exported only to countries covered by a civil nuclear
cooperation agreement.
All Australian uranium supplied to India will remain under IAEA safeguards.
The Administrative Arrangement establishes the procedures for implementing the Agreement and
provides a stable, long-term framework for cooperation between both governments and industry.
The Arrangement marks a significant milestone in India–Australia bilateral energy cooperation and
provides a reliable foundation for peaceful nuclear collaboration over the coming decades.
Australia also reaffirmed its support for India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group
(NSG).
The administrative arrangement reinforces mutual trust and creates a stable foundation for sustained
cooperation. It also expands the strategic dimension of the India–Australia partnership while supporting
secure and diversified energy supplies.
Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a voluntary grouping of 48 nuclear supplier countries that seeks
to prevent nuclear weapons proliferation by implementing common guidelines governing exports of
nuclear materials, equipment and related technologies for peaceful use.
Why This is Crucial for India
The India–Australia Civil Nuclear Agreement bolsters India's long term fuel security, diversifies uranium
imports, and deepens the comprehensive strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific.
Energy Security: The Arrangement assures a long-term supply of fuel for an expanding fleet of
reactors. Nuclear power provides dependable baseload generation, available at all hours, which
lends stability to the grid and complements the variable output of solar and wind power.
Clean Energy: Nuclear power is a low-carbon source that adds firm capacity to India's non-fossil
energy mix. It can progressively meet demand currently served by coal while supporting the
growing energy needs of industry, data centres and the digital economy.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and net-zero: India has committed to achieving
net-zero emissions by 2070 and has progressively raised its climate targets, including a greater
share of non-fossil capacity. A secure supply of nuclear fuel supports this transition by enabling the
expansion of clean and reliable generation.
India as a responsible nuclear power: Australia's decision to supply uranium reflects confidence
in India's strong non-proliferation record and responsible use of nuclear technology.
The Arrangement further reinforce the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by adding a
robust energy pillar to cooperation spanning trade, defence, critical minerals, technology and the Indo-
Pacific.
Did You Know?
India has signed Inter Governmental Agreement (IGA) with 18 countries on Civil Nuclear Co-operation
for peaceful purposes.
The Road AheadThe Administrative Arrangement is a practical measure with far-reaching benefits. For the economy, it
helps to secure clean and firm power for growth, manufacturing and digital infrastructure. For energy
security, it diversifies India’s fuel supply and strengthens the foundation of the power system. This
momentum is already evident, with milestones such as the PFBR at Kalpakkam attaining first criticality.
For the bilateral partnership, energy now joins a broad and deepening relationship. Anchored in shared
interests and mutual trust, India and Australia are well placed to widen their cooperation in the years
ahead, with a dependable supply of uranium lending India’s clean energy endeavour a firmer foundation.
References
Prime Minister's Office (PMO)
https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/third-india-australia-annual-summit-joint-statement/
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) / PIB
https://www.pib.gov.in/FactsheetDetails.aspx?Id=150617®=48&lang=2
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2206211®=3&lang=1
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2238911&lang=1
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2198951®=3&lang=1
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2204236®=3&lang=1
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2245209®=3&lang=1
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2099244&lang=1
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2220193®=48&lang=2
Parliament of India (Lok Sabha)
https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/187/AU5306_IPnngu.pdf
Geoscience Australia
https://www.ga.gov.au/aecr2025/uranium-and-thorium
High Commission of India, Canberra
https://india.highcommission.gov.au/ndli/pa1915.html
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/iaea-board-approves-india-safeguards-agreement
Click here to see pdf
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