The Biden Administration lifted restrictions on India in the field of nuclear energy on Monday, coinciding with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s visit to New Delhi. Sullivan described the India-US partnership as “vital” for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Security experts expect the collaboration with India to continue even during Republican Donald Trump’s presidency.
India’s nuclear energy ambitions now face fewer restrictions, said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in New Delhi.
“The United States is now finalizing the necessary steps to remove outdated regulations that have hindered civil nuclear cooperation between India’s key nuclear entities and American companies. Official documents will soon be approved, providing an opportunity to overcome some of the past frictions,” he said.
Indian regulations previously created barriers for American companies hoping to build power plants in India because they placed liability for accidents on the builder or supplier of nuclear power plants.
President Joe Biden has elevated Washington’s relationship with New Delhi to a higher level. In September, he hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence for the first meeting of the leaders of four countries aiming to act as a counterbalance to Beijing.
Analysts in Washington say that Sullivan’s visit began with a significant announcement regarding cooperation in space, defense, and other sectors, aiming to highlight for the next U.S. administration the importance of relations with India.
“I think this strongly underscores the fact that India is a major priority, even greater than some of our other partnerships,” says expert Rick Rosso from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The partnership has grown despite differences between the two countries over issues such as India’s ongoing ties with Moscow following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
American expert Rosso believes that cooperation in security will continue, noting the strong personal rapport between President-elect Trump and Indian Prime Minister Modi. This time, tensions could arise in the economic sphere.
“You will see less support for foreign investments and much more pressure on India to buy American goods, such as hydrocarbons or defense equipment, which the Indian government actually controls. So, the economic side is where I am a bit more concerned. I think India will fare better than many of our key partnerships over the next four years,” he says.
The two countries are strengthening these relations in January.
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