India, US deepen energy ties; Nuclear, LPG in focus amid Iran-linked supply concerns

New Delhi: India is looking to expand energy cooperation with the US, including in nuclear power, coal gasification and LPG exports, as it navigates supply constraints linked to the Iran conflict and seeks to diversify energy sources.

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri discussed these areas during a meeting with US energy secretary Chris Wright, as he wrapped up a three-day visit to Washington.

"Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called on Energy Secretary Chris Wright @SecretaryWright @ENERGY. Discussions focused on advancing energy security, deepening bilateral energy trade, and identifying new avenues to strengthen the India-U.S. Energy Partnership," the Indian embassy said in a post.


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US ambassador to India Sergei Gor, who attended the meeting, said Washington was ready to cooperate with India on civil nuclear energy as well as coal gasification and LPG exports.

"Great to spend this (Friday) morning with @SecretaryWright and FS Vikram Misri to discuss the future of US-India energy cooperation. After India's historic passage of the SHANTI bill, we are ready to cooperate on civil nuclear in addition to other areas such as coal gasification and US LPG exports," Gor said in a post on X.

The SHANTI Act, which came into force in December, opens up the civil nuclear sector to private participation and repeals the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.

In a separate meeting, Gor held talks with US deputy secretary of war Steve Feinberg and secretary of the army Dan Driscoll.

"Defence cooperation between the U.S. and India is only growing and it's making both our countries safer and stronger. Discussed with Deputy Secretary Feinberg ways that we can deepen ties, including through defense sales of US equipment, the best in the world, and strengthening interoperability," Gor posted on X.

After the US, Misri will travel to Paris and Berlin from April 12 to 14.

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In Paris, he will co-chair the India-France foreign office consultations with Martin Briens, secretary general of the French ministry of foreign affairs. Discussions will cover defence, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber and digital, AI, innovation, people-to-people exchanges and global and regional developments, according to a ministry of external affairs statement.

In Berlin, Misri will co-chair the India-Germany foreign office consultations with Geza Andreas von Geyr, state secretary of the German foreign office. Talks will span trade and investment, defence and security, technology, green energy, development cooperation, education, people-to-people ties and global issues of mutual interest.