India-US energy relations face reset

Subject

India-US energy relations.

Significance

Westinghouse’s filing of bankruptcy in March risks derailing a decade-long effort to increase India-US civilian nuclear energy cooperation. Westinghouse’s business in India is tied to the previous US administration’s ambitions to increase bilateral energy trade, which included pushing for India’s access to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and a partnership on clean energy. Under President Donald Trump, not just civilian nuclear cooperation but bilateral energy relations as a whole could be overhauled.

Impacts

• India-Russia nuclear cooperation is likely to rise.
• US gas exporters will have to compete with Asian and Middle Eastern suppliers in the Indian market.
• Clean coal technologies in India present a narrowing window of opportunity for US firms.
• India will continue pursuing its 175-gigawatt renewables target, through funds from European and Asian entities.