OPINION | India’s push for thorium-based nuclear energy and self-reliance

In response to a question in Lok Sabha on August 3, 2016, the Modi government clearly articulated its policy: “The long-term plan is to use thorium reactors to meet a substantial percentage of the country’s energy demand. The target for the third stage of the nuclear power programme is to deploy thorium-based reactors in large numbers, which have the potential to make the country independent in terms of power. After attaining the required level of installed capacity in the third stage, it would be possible to maintain the achieved level of the nuclear power programme with thorium alone, without additional demands on uranium or plutonium resources.”

According to a recent research paper published by Indian Council of World Affairs, the World Nuclear Organization reports India as having the largest thorium reserves. Beyond its energy importance, India has a significant opportunity to leverage this natural resource as a diplomatic asset. Thorium’s non-proliferative nature makes it a viable option for countries seeking energy independence. As a cleaner and more stable alternative to uranium, its demand is expected to rise exponentially in the future. India can enhance its diplomatic position by collaborating with countries looking to reduce fossil fuel use. It can also ease the burden on countries heavily reliant on uranium imports for nuclear power generation. The Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat is poised to accelerate nuclear power development, positioning India as a global leader in advanced nuclear technology by 2047.

Focus on Thorium

Thorium has the potential to be the cornerstone of India’s nuclear energy plan for a key reason: India has abundant reserves of it, which would eliminate the need for imports and reduce the country’s exposure to geopolitical vulnerabilities, as demonstrated by the Russia-Ukraine war's impact on global energy supply. In this context, thorium’s domestic availability could be the driving force behind India’s long-term energy infrastructure plans.

It’s important to recall that India’s journey in harnessing nuclear energy to fuel its growth began with Dr. Homi Bhabha in the 1960s through a three-stage plan. The first stage involved Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) using natural uranium. The second stage of this plan was the Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) using plutonium-239. India began implementing the second stage with the commissioning of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam in March 2024. This wasn’t just the addition of another reactor—it marked India’s concrete entry into stage two of Bhabha’s original blueprint.

India is now pushing toward stage three with small modular reactors (SMRs) and exploring High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) alongside thorium. There is also a broader opportunity as India perfects thorium-based technology. Many developing nations may look to partner with India in this domain, potentially positioning India as a significant player in the global energy landscape.

To harness these opportunities, the Modi government has launched a Nuclear Energy Mission. A key highlight of the Union Budget 2025-26 was the launch of this initiative, which focuses on the research and development (R&D) of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The government has allocated ₹20,000 crores for this initiative, aiming to develop at least five indigenously designed and operational SMRs by 2033.

According to a research paper by Harsh Parikh, published by Stanford University in 2024, India’s current thorium reserves would supply the country with enough energy for over 700 years, assuming consumption levels remain the same as in 2023. Even if consumption levels increase, thorium-based nuclear energy can likely meet India’s energy demands for several centuries.

Conclusion

India’s push to incorporate thorium into its nuclear programme could help achieve its long-term vision of not only attaining self-reliance in energy but also building a secure and sustainable power foundation for future generations.

Earlier Sanghnomics columns can be read here.

(Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive.)

Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.