U.S. - India Scientific Cooperation

In 2005, the United States and India reached agreement to move forward on civil nuclear cooperation. The deal was founded on the premise that India needs nuclear power to sustain its rapidly growing economy in a safe, clean and cost-effective manner, and that the United States has a stake in India's continued success. The goal is to provide India access to the technology it needs to build and safely maintain a modern fleet of civilian nuclear reactors and infrastructure, so that India can meet the increasing power requirements of its growing economy.

As we look ahead to the future of our civil-nuclear cooperation we are additionally encouraged by our expanding science and technology cooperation.

This year, for example, the U.S. Department of Energy and India’s Department of Atomic Energy signed an implementing agreement on "Discovery Science" that provides the framework for India’s participation in the next generation particle accelerator facility at Fermilab. This agreement will enable the U.S. and India to pursue new scientific discoveries together and to advance the shared clean energy goals.

The Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum, along with its U.S. counterpart the India Science and Technology Partnership, has facilitated travel for nearly 10,000 scientists between the United States and India, established 24 joint research centers and organized more than 30 training programs and 150 bilateral conferences, two-thirds of which have resulted in long-term partnerships.

And the development of India's energy sector is opening up vast commercial opportunities in virtually every segment of the Indian nuclear energy market. These aren't opportunities reserved for the privileged few. This means that education can be transformed through reliable electricity to power computers and smart phones; transportation can be revolutionized through the use of hybrid vehicles and light-rail trains; and commercial opportunities can emerge for anyone with a good idea and entrepreneurial zeal.

India and the United States are committed to realizing the potential of their relationship in a way that will ensure peace and prosperity for literally billions of people. The future of the U.S.-India partnership has never been brighter.