Last Updated on October 21, 2026 1:35 am by INDIAN AWAAZ
VINIT WAHI
Minister of State for the Department of Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh, has said that India’s nuclear programme is dedicated to peaceful purposes and not warfare, reaffirming the country’s vision for the nuclear journey since its inception. He said this in an exclusive conversation on the sidelines of ‘Bloomberg Economy Forum 2026’ in New Delhi. Recalling the vision of Dr Homi Bhabha, Dr Singh said that India had consistently pursued nuclear energy for peaceful applications and national development. He added that the commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear technology remains central to the country’s approach as it expands its capabilities to meet emerging developmental and technological needs.
The Minister said that India’s nuclear energy ambitions must be viewed in the context of its long-term development goals and clean energy commitments. He highlighted that India has set a target of 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047 and Net Zero emissions by 2070, with nuclear energy set to meet growing demand for reliable, clean electricity.
Linking nuclear energy with the next phase of technological growth, Dr Singh said the expansion of Artificial Intelligence and data centres would require dependable sources of electricity capable of meeting their substantial and continuous energy needs. He said that Nuclear energy would supplement India’s other energy programmes and contribute to meeting the power requirements of an increasingly technology-driven economy. The Minister also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opened critical and sensitive sectors to non-government players, creating wider opportunities for private sector participation.
On the expanding role of Artificial Intelligence, the Minister noted that from Space and life sciences to other areas of scientific and technological development, AI is set to become an increasingly necessary instrument. Dr Singh said AI offers significant advantages across domains, but ensuring its optimal use without allowing it to be misused remains a key challenge. He further stressed that while regulations are in place, integrity at both the individual and national level is fundamental to ensuring that the technology is used responsibly.