India Opens Nuclear Sector to Private Firms, Triggers Uranium Import Drive

India has opened the door for private firms to build nuclear power plants, prompting a rush to secure uranium fuel. The government has signed supply agreements with Uzbekistan, Australia and Canada to meet the expected rise in demand. Under the new domestic law, private companies can now invest in nuclear projects that were previously limited to the state‑run Nuclear Power Corporation. Analysts say the policy change could double the number of reactors under construction within a decade. The added capacity will need large volumes of uranium, a metal that India does not mine in significant amounts. To fill the gap, the Ministry of Atomic Energy has negotiated long‑term contracts with the three partner nations, each offering different enrichment capabilities. While uranium will fuel the near‑term expansion, India’s long‑term nuclear plan still focuses on developing its abundant thorium reserves, which could eventually replace uranium in reactors. Experts note that balancing imported uranium with home‑grown thorium will be key to achieving the country’s energy goals.