‘A Step Towards Stronger Energy Security,’ US Welcomes India’s SHANTI Bill; Says Ready To Undertake Joint Innovation

The United States on Monday welcomed India’s SHANTI Bill 2025, describing the legislation as a move that strengthens bilateral energy security cooperation and advances peaceful civil nuclear collaboration.

In a post on X, the US Embassy in India said, “We welcome India’s new #SHANTIBill, a step towards a stronger energy security partnership and peaceful civil nuclear cooperation. The United States stands ready to undertake joint innovation and R&D in the energy sector.”

SHANTI Bill: What it means?

SHANTI stands for the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025. The legislation was passed by Parliament last week and is aimed at consolidating and modernising India’s nuclear legal framework, while permitting limited private sector participation under strict regulatory oversight.

Until now, nuclear power generation in India has largely remained under public sector control, with joint ventures allowed only in select cases. The SHANTI Bill alters this structure by opening the sector to a wider set of participants.

Under the new law, eligible companies and joint ventures can construct, own, operate or decommission nuclear power plants or reactors in India, subject to licensing conditions. These licences mandate compulsory safety authorisation, particularly concerning radiation exposure.

The Bill states that licences may be granted to any department of the Government of India, or any institution, authority or corporation established, owned or controlled by the government, any government company, any other company, a joint venture among any of these entities, or any other person expressly permitted by the central government through notification.

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