India–EU Cooperation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

About India–Euratom Agreement

The agreement provides a structured framework for scientific, technological and research collaboration in nuclear science while fully respecting international non-proliferation commitments.

What is Euratom?

• European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) is a specialised EU body established to coordinate nuclear research, safety standards and peaceful nuclear development among EU member states.
• It focuses on civil nuclear cooperation, not military applications.

Objectives of the India–Euratom Agreement

• Promote peaceful, safe and secure uses of nuclear energy.
• Enhance joint research and development in nuclear science and technology.
• Support knowledge-sharing and capacity building in nuclear safety and radiation protection.
• Strengthen cooperation in advanced nuclear technologies and applications.

About ITER

• International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is the world’s largest experimental project aimed at proving nuclear fusion as a viable energy source.
• It seeks to replicate the process that powers the Sun and stars to produce clean energy on Earth.

Location and Membership

• ITER is located at Cadarache, France.
• Members include the EU, India, China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States.
• Together, these members represent over half of the world’s population.

Primary Objective

• To demonstrate that fusion energy can produce more energy than it consumes.
• ITER aims to achieve 500 MW of fusion power with only 50 MW input (Q ≥ 10).
• It is an experimental reactor, not a commercial power plant.

Technology Used

• Uses magnetic confinement fusion through a tokamak design.
• Extremely strong magnetic fields confine hot plasma at over 150 million°C.
• Fusion fuel used: deuterium and tritium (hydrogen isotopes).

India’s Role in ITER

• India is a full partner since 2005.
• Contributes key components such as:
  • Cryostat (world’s largest vacuum chamber)
  • Cooling systems
  • Power supplies
• Gains access to advanced fusion technology and expertise.

ITER and India–EU Cooperation

• ITER is a major pillar of India–EU nuclear and energy cooperation.
• Reinforced under the India–Euratom Agreement (2020).
• Supports joint efforts towards clean energy transition.

About Horizon Europe

• Horizon Europe is the European Union’s flagship research and innovation funding programme.
• It supports cutting-edge research to address global challenges and competitiveness.

Three Main Pillars

1. Excellent Science

• Funds frontier research through the European Research Council (ERC).
• Supports researcher mobility via Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).
• Invests in world-class research infrastructures.

2. Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness

• Focuses on clusters such as: Health, Climate, energy and mobility
• Encourages solutions-oriented and interdisciplinary research.

3. Innovative Europe

• Supports breakthrough innovations through the European Innovation Council (EIC).
• Helps startups and SMEs scale up disruptive technologies.