20 September 2024 by Ali Oguz Dirioz

Nuclear Energy and India.

Over the last few weeks, I have dealt with the issue of BRICS and how it is still a group with no formal institutional body other than the New Development Bank (the former BRICS Bank).

The ambiguity of Saudi Arabia’s BRICS membership status suggests how BRICS is still short of formal mechanisms for admissions, other than states applying, all members inviting states to join and the states in question accepting and ratifying membership. Although in all effects and practices, Saudi Arabia acts as a BRICS member, attending summits and meetings, it is still not clear if Saudi Arabia will officially join BRICS. This will be sorted most likely in the October 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. The hesitancy of Saudi Arabia, could partly be understood from the potential of civilian nuclear energy cooperation with Western companies. Nuclear energy, and BRICS are interrelated, as there are nuclear power countries such as Russia, China, and India.

In that respect, I would like to dwell more on the issue of Civilian Nuclear Energy and India. With core countries of OPEC+ (notably Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia); BRICS would become a bloc of energy producing nations. With Russia, China, Iran and India, the nuclear energy issue also comes in the picture. This is a factor perhaps in the hesitation of Saudi Arabia may be the nuclear energy aspect. Perhaps of the aspirations of Saudi Arabia are regarding collaboration on civilian nuclear power plants for energy production with Western companies such as from France, Japan, South Korea, Canada or the United States. Much were written about the BRICS group and fossil fuels; Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates are major oil and natural gas producers. However, nuclear energy capabilities of BRICS states are also a factor which didn’t get as much attention. Russia is a major nuclear technology provider. India’s development of nuclear energy components and technologies, in addition to nuclear power plants is worth discussing more and would be the focus in this article.  

United States, United Kingdom, and France are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – UNSC, have significant nuclear power. Western countries and OECD economies such as Japan, Canada, South Korea, Sweden had civilian nuclear energy capabilities. Germany decided to phase out nuclear energy, after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear incident in Japan in 2011. In Germany, nuclear plants are being decommissioned. India has nuclear power plants and has plans to significantly increase nuclear energy capacity. India is increasingly becoming a reliable supplier of components. For example, Indian companies are participating in the construction of the Russian Rosatom nuclear power plant in Bangladesh.[1]   

Turkiye signed in 1968 and ratified by 1970 the Treaty of Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT),[2] which is a zenith of arms control and disarmament treaties to limits weapons of mass destruction. Turkiye, due to the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project, built and operated by Russia’s Rosatom, Turkiye is subject to inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Civilian nuclear energy is part of the International Nuclear Energy under the regime. India is not a signatory to the NPT, and is thus not part of the regime of IAEA inspections. Still, India’s nuclear program are not considered as controversial as North Korea’s or Iran’s. Quite the opposite, India’s recent deals on nuclear energy suggest that it is a potential partner and not such a controversial state. India’s focus seems to be a supplier of components and software used by nuclear energy facilities.  

India is also a G20 country and had a relatively successful G20 Summit under its presidency in 2023. Under India, consensus was brought in the forum. Unlike Russia, India is not a significant ‘developer’ of nuclear energy facilities in other countries. India is developing nuclear technology and components which can be exported. The MoU’s signed on civilian nuclear energy and petroleum between two BRICS countries, namely India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE),[3] suggest that India’s nuclear energy technology and components are of demand and useful for even the top class Western Facilities.

India has been embarked in efforts to produce nuclear energy since the 1960’s, has also several bilateral nuclear energy agreements with the USA, France and Japan.[4] UAE’s nuclear power project in Abu Dhabi was constructed and operated with South Korea’s electricity and power company KEPCO. [5] The UAE had to abide by NPT rules and build an image of reliable and responsible nation to develop nuclear energy. Hence BRICS countries, such as India, may provide an alternative stream for cooperation on nuclear energy. On the other hand, UAE’s deal with a South Korean company was before UAE joined BRICS in 2024. UAE already has operating nuclear energy facilities. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, may desire to have Western nuclear power plant.

India, while providing components and several technologies, isn’t necessarily known to develop or operate power plants in other countries. But India is involved in construction and supplying certain components. As far as India’s own nuclear power is concerned, domestically available Thorium is tried to be develop as a fuel.[6] According to the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (one of the most important nuclear research and development centers in India), nuclear energy, with 6,780 Megawatt (MW) constitutes up to 2% of India’s installed electrical power capacity. Development of nuclear energy is seen in India as an opportunity to reduce emissions and the carbon footprint.[7]

Atomic Energy has a key role in reducing the carbon intensity of the overall Power sector of India. Indigenously built Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) that are fueled by Uranium, and are the core type of reactors in India. Plutonium extracted from the depleted fuels serves as the fuel for the Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) – part of the second stage of the nuclear program. [8] It follows of course that the research and development (R&D) on fuels such as Thorium as well as the new types of power plants and on the software continue to develop intensively in India.

In addition to indigenously developed reactors, India is become a reliable supplier of components. Significant funds are being dedicated in the development of technologies and components in India. Only the Indian Government can develop nuclear energy power plants. India plans to develop nuclear energy by building 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.[9] However, on components and other civilian nuclear energy technology, the Indian Government is engaged in talks with private companies to boost investments and encourage private sector companies to develop such technologies. Reliance, Tata Power, and Adani group are amongst the companies with ongoing talks with the Indian Government.[10]

Turkiye can further develop relations with BRICS countries such as India either directly, or through Azerbaijan (which applied to BRICS). Azerbaijan can partner to develop certain energy component technologies and projects with BRICS countries such as India, while Turkiye may explore new technologies of the Small and Modular Reactors through UK’s Rolls Royce Holdings; whose current CEO Mr. Erginbilgic is of Turkish origin.[11]

Turkiye should develop its relations with BRICS countries, without damaging its relations with NATO and EU countries. India, already having cordial relations with most NATO and EU countries, is an important potential partner. Due to the sheer size of its population and its economy, a priority for Turkiye is to develop economic cooperation and improve relations with India. Not to forget that the current US Vice President and potential future President, Kamala Harris, has Indian heritage. India’s soft power through diaspora community, shared values on rule of law, secularism, democracy, justice, and human rights, are reasons for Turkiye to develop relations with India, especially if Turkiye would be needing parts and components for civilian nuclear energy power plant maintenance.

Overall, India’s economic progress, particularly over the last two decades has been extraordinary, and its current consistent growth rate consistently above 6% is impressive. It is necessary to develop institutional cooperation mechanisms with BRICS countries such as India. As a result, the ever-growing energy resources and technologies of BRICS also include the possibility of finding alternative components for technologies related to civil nuclear energy. However, a very important issue to consider is that Turkiye continues to fulfill its responsibilities arising from NATO. While it is a sovereign state’s own decision to become a member of BRICS or not, it is important that it can do so without conflicting with its existing responsibilities. Some of the issues emphasized during the visit of former US Ambassador to Ankara John Bass to Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in the past days was BRICS-related issues (https://www.bbc.com/turkce/articles/cr4xrxqk9qgo). As it can be understood from the meeting, although BRICS membership is not encouraged, since it will be a predominantly economic and commercial decision, the importance of not neglecting responsibilities towards NATO was emphasized. The benefits and costs of BRICS should be carefully evaluated and weighed because the decision to be taken will affect 86 million people. Whether or not one becomes a member of BRICS, the possible benefits can also be achieved through relations with individual BRICS members such as India, South Africa and Brazil. Or, it can be achieved through mechanisms that can be established between the Organization of Turkish States (TDT) or MIKTA and BRICS.

[1] Economic Times, 9 July 2024: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/indian-companies-participating-in-construction-of-nuclear-power-plant-in-bangladesh-russia/articleshow/111613024.cms?from=mdr

[2] https://www.mfa.gov.tr/arms-control-and-disarmament.en.mfa

[3] India and UAE Ink MoUs on nuclear Energy, Petroletum, 9 September 2024, The Print: https://theprint.in/world/india-and-uae-ink-mous-on-nuclear-energy-petroleum/2259517/

[4] Tagotra, September 2020, The Diplomat: https://thediplomat.com/2020/09/indias-ambitious-nuclear-power-plan-and-whats-getting-in-its-way/

[5] Dirioz, Ali Oguz, and Benjamin A. Reimold. “The strategic context of the UAE’s nuclear project: A model for the region.” Middle East Policy 21, no. 3 (2014): 71-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mepo.12083

[6] Udum, Şebnem. “Nuclear energy and international relations: outlook and challenges for newcomers.” PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs 22, no. 2 (2017): 57-84. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/perception/issue/48953/624504

[7] About BARC; https://barc.gov.in/about/index.html

[8] About BARC; https://barc.gov.in/about/index.html

[9] Business Standard, 3 April 20204, India aims to produce 100 GW nuclear power by 2047: https://www.business-standard.com/industry/news/india-aims-to-produce-100-gw-nuclear-power-by-2047-aec-chairman-mohanty-124040301076_1.html

[10] Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/india-seeks-26-bln-private-nuclear-power-investments-sources-say-2024-02-20/

[11] Rolls-Royce: https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases/2022/26-07-2022-rr-appoints-tufan-erginbilgic-as-chief-executive-officer.aspx