Vikram Misri’s US visit spotlights energy, nuclear cooperation and expanding defence ties
Washington, April 13. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri concluded a three-day visit to the United States from April 8 to 10 marked by high-level talks that put energy cooperation – spanning civil nuclear power, coal gasification and LPG trade – at the centre of the bilateral agenda.
In Washington, Misri met US Energy Secretary Chris Wright to discuss strengthening energy security, expanding bilateral energy trade and identifying new avenues under the India-US Energy Partnership. He also held meetings with senior officials across the Departments of State, Defence and Commerce, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Separately, US Ambassador to India Sergei Gor, who was present during the discussions, said Washington was prepared to advance cooperation with New Delhi in civil nuclear energy alongside coal gasification and US LPG exports. He linked the momentum to India’s recent passage of the SHANTI Act, calling it a landmark reform that opens the civil nuclear sector to private participation and replaces earlier legal frameworks.
Misri’s engagements also covered defence cooperation. The ambassador noted discussions with US Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg on expanding defence sales and improving interoperability between the two militaries. Meetings were also held with Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll.
In parallel, India’s Air Chief Marshal AP Singh visited Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, where he met General Gregory M Guillot, Commander of US-NORTHCOM/NORAD, for exchanges on complex operational issues – a sign of deepening military-to-military engagement.
The SHANTI Act (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy Act), which came into force last December, is regarded as a sweeping reform of India’s civil nuclear sector. It enables private participation and replaces the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010, paving the way for expanded international collaboration in nuclear energy.
