Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh on 20 October 2026 reaffirmed that India's nuclear programme is dedicated exclusively to peaceful purposes and national development — not warfare — speaking on the sidelines of the Bloomberg Economy Forum 2026 in New Delhi. The minister's remarks reinforce a foundational commitment that has shaped the country's nuclear doctrine since its inception under physicist Homi Bhabha.

Peaceful Roots and the Bhabha Legacy

Invoking the vision of Homi Bhabha, widely regarded as the architect of India's atomic programme, Singh said the country has consistently pursued nuclear energy for civilian applications and developmental goals. He underlined that the commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear technology remains central to India's approach, even as it scales up capabilities to meet emerging technological and energy demands.

Nuclear Energy and India's 2047 Clean Power Targets

The minister placed India's nuclear ambitions squarely within its long-term development and clean energy framework. India is targeting 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 and has committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070. Singh said nuclear energy would complement other power sources by providing a continuous, reliable supply of clean electricity — a baseload that intermittent renewables such as solar and wind cannot guarantee on their own.

AI, Data Centres, and the Nuclear Connection

Singh drew a direct link between nuclear energy expansion and the next phase of India's technological growth. The rapid proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure and data centres, he said, demands dependable power sources capable of meeting substantial and uninterrupted energy loads. Nuclear energy, in his framing, would supplement existing programmes to power an increasingly technology-driven economy.

On AI more broadly, Singh described it as a cross-sectoral tool rather than a standalone domain, with applications ranging from space science to life sciences. He struck a cautionary note on governance, saying, 'One has to be intelligent enough to use Artificial Intelligence.' While acknowledging that regulations exist, he stressed that integrity — at both the individual and national level — is fundamental to responsible deployment. India, he added, has made appreciable efforts in this direction under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Private Sector Opens Up in Critical Sectors

Singh also highlighted the Modi government's policy of widening access to critical and sensitive sectors for non-government players. This liberalisation, he said, has expanded private sector participation in areas that were historically restricted, creating new avenues for industry to contribute to technological advancement, innovation, and national development. This comes amid broader reforms that have seen India selectively open strategic sectors — including space and defence — to private investment.

What This Signals

India's dual emphasis on nuclear expansion and peaceful intent carries diplomatic weight at a time when global scrutiny of nuclear programmes remains intense. With the 100 GW target for 2047 representing a dramatic scale-up from current installed capacity, the government's messaging at international forums like Bloomberg's is aimed at attracting foreign technology partnerships and investment, particularly as the country renegotiates civil nuclear cooperation frameworks. How quickly execution matches ambition will determine whether nuclear energy meaningfully shifts India's energy mix by the end of the decade.