New Delhi, Sep 23 (UNI) India and France discussed the Jaitapur nuclear power plant, that is coming up in Haryana, during the talks between Anne-Marie Descôtes, Secretary General – Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in New Delhi.
The Embassy of France in a post on X said that the two sides discussed the Jaitapur nuclear plant, being built by France, and advanced technology including small modular reactors.
“Secy-Gen @amdescotes & Foreign Secy @VikramMisri co-chaired a India-France Civil Nuclear Energy Special Task Force meeting in Delhi.
“Talks covered the Jaitapur project, advanced tech including #SMR, and highlighted nuclear energy’s role in energy security & low-carbon transition.
It said that “Amid recent leaders’ visits, close exchanges & upcoming AI Impact Summit in India in 2026, the dialogue deepens our strategic partnership on bilateral priorities & global challenges.”
The Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project will be India’s first nuclear project in north India. It is coming up in a small town called Gorakhpur in Haryana. This was revealed by union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh in March in Parliament, who termed it a critical step toward India’s clean energy future. Dr Jitendra Singh also said that the environmental clearance for the project, which had expired in December 2022, is being renewed and that necessary safeguards are in place to address ecological and safety concerns.
The Minister explained that while initial approvals were given in 2008 for the Jaitapur plant, delays occurred due to shifts in agreements with the French stakeholders. The technical agreements for the plant have been finalized, following the February 2025 visit to France by PM Modi when both sides signed a Declaration of Intent to collaborate on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs).
The Minister said that discussions are ongoing to settle the commercial terms with the French side. The Jaitapur plant, once operational, will house six nuclear reactors, each with a capacity of 1,730 MW, totaling 10,380 MW—accounting for 10% of India’s 100 GW nuclear energy target by 2047.
In a significant policy shift, the Indian government is also opening the nuclear energy sector to private participation to accelerate expansion. Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the upcoming Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant in Haryana, marking India’s first nuclear project in North India, as part of this broader vision. With India aiming for net-zero emissions by 2070, the Jaitapur project is expected to play a crucial role in achieving the country’s clean energy ambitions while strengthening its position as a leader in nuclear technology, he said.
During the talks on Monday between Indian FS Vikram Misri and Anne-Marie Descôtes, France also said that it fully supports the conclusion of an ambitious trade agreement between the European union and India.
Secretary General Descôtes thanked the Indian side for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s kind invitation to President Emmanuel Macron to the AI Impact Summit that India is hosting in February 2026. Innovation and new technologies are growing fields of cooperation between France and India, and 2026 will mark the India-France Year of Innovation, a readout from the French Embassy said.
Ms Descôtes and Mr Misri reviewed the different aspects of the Indo-French strategic partnership, including civil nuclear energy, and defence and security cooperation.
They exchanged views on major international issues, including efforts for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, the ongoing crisis in Gaza, and the fight against terrorism.
Further, Ms Descôtes reiterated France’s support for deepening and expanding EU-India relations, following the 2025 Joint Communication of the European Commission and the High Representative on a New Strategic EU-India Agenda.
She also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister. Ms Descôtes also paid a courtesy call on Dr Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP and Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs.
Secretary General Descôtes wrapped up her trip with a visit to the Alliance Française de Delhi as well as Campus France offices. With France looking forward to welcoming greater numbers of Indian students, President Macron and Prime Minister Modi have set the ambitious goal of hosting 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030, the release said.
