India and France Discussed New Nuclear Reactor Plans
Officials met to review the deployment of EPR reactors and the progress of the draft SHANTI regulatory framework.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Nuclear
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India and France have initiated high-level discussions regarding the potential deployment of European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) technology. The meetings also explored collaborative ventures in pumped hydro storage and energy infrastructure.
Why it matters
The introduction of the draft SHANTI rules is designed to streamline licensing and encourage foreign and private sector participation in India's nuclear energy sector. By fostering local supply chain development, officials hope to achieve the economies of scale necessary for a major reactor program.
The Department of Atomic Energy released draft SHANTI rules for public consultation, establishing a streamlined licensing framework for foreign partners. EDF is currently developing a local supply chain ecosystem to support large-scale reactor localization.
The players
Pankaj Agarwal
He serves as the Power Secretary for India.
Bernard Fontana
He is the Chairman of EDF, a French multinational electric utility company.
The details
Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal and EDF Chairman Bernard Fontana met to review a proposed joint venture between NTPC and EDF. The talks focused on operationalizing the SHANTI framework to facilitate international involvement in India's domestic power sector.
Timeline
The meeting between Indian and French officials took place on September 25, 2026.
The Big Picture
The introduction of the SHANTI nuclear regulatory framework marks a paradigm shift toward privatizing and internationalizing India's nuclear energy landscape. This move follows historical precedents where standardized regulatory structures successfully enabled large-scale infrastructure deployment.
The potential integration of EPR reactors and pumped hydro storage could lead to more stable, large-scale clean energy supplies in the future. If successful, these regulatory changes could lower long-term energy costs by streamlining the construction of advanced power infrastructure.
The takeaway
The move to standardize nuclear regulations reflects a growing global trend of opening energy markets to private and international expertise. Investors and energy stakeholders should monitor how these rule changes affect long-term project timelines and supplier localization requirements.
Further reading
Learn more about the global industry landscape at Nuclear.
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