India Shares Nuclear Knowledge with Developing Countries at UN

India is expanding nuclear science collaboration with countries of the Global South, a senior parliamentarian told the United Nations. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, who leads the Indian parliamentary delegation at the UN, described India as a 'Vishwa Bandhu', or friend of the world, committed to ensuring nuclear science benefits reach nations that need it.

Addressing the UN General Assembly on Friday, the BJP MP said India's long-running partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency had become stronger this year. The Regional Cooperative Agreement, which focuses on research, development and training in nuclear science and technology, played a central role.

In May, India took charge of the chairmanship of the Regional Cooperative Agreement, which comprises 22 member states. India committed at the time to deepen collaboration through science, innovation and shared progress.

Singh Deo also cited the Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai as a practical example of India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. The centre is conducting special cancer treatment training under the BIMSTEC framework. Health experts from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar attended these programmes. The Tata Memorial Centre works under the Department of Atomic Energy.

She noted that India, as an advanced nuclear technology nation, has achieved significant success in nuclear energy and research. In April, India became only the second country in the world to bring a Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor to criticality. The 500 MW reactor, built at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, was designed and developed entirely domestically.

In June, the reactor achieved a world first by demonstrating heat-based hydrogen production. Singh Deo added that the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited produced 55,190 million units of electricity last year, with its plants averaging an 80 per cent plant load factor and a strong safety record.

According to Singh Deo, these achievements show that India is strengthening its nuclear strength while sharing knowledge and technology with developing countries, advancing global cooperation.