Eric Garcetti, the outgoing US Ambassador, emphasized that India must address its nuclear liability law to foster deeper civil nuclear cooperation with the US, following Washington’s recent move to ease restrictions on key Indian nuclear entities. This development is seen as a significant step toward closer collaboration between the two nations on advanced energy technologies.
Speaking ahead of his departure, Garcetti agreed with President-elect Donald Trump’s call for a candid discussion on India’s tariff policies. He stressed the importance of an “honest conversation” between the US and India to resolve outstanding trade issues. This follows the recent decision by the US Bureau of Industry and Security to remove Indian Rare Earths, Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Center (IGCAR), and Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) from the Entity List, which previously hindered nuclear collaboration.
Garcetti highlighted the growing strategic partnership between the US and India, particularly in civil nuclear technology. He warned that without closer cooperation, countries like China could dominate the nuclear technology space. He also expressed optimism about the potential of US-India collaboration to meet India’s energy needs and combat climate change.
However, Garcetti acknowledged the lingering issue of nuclear liability under India’s Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act. The law, which holds suppliers liable in the event of a nuclear accident, has stalled several nuclear projects involving foreign suppliers. He urged both the ruling BJP and opposition parties to find a “responsible way” to address this liability issue, to avoid impeding progress in nuclear cooperation.
Turning to trade, Garcetti reiterated the need to lower tariffs, calling for a more ambitious approach to trade between the two countries. He supported President-elect Trump’s stance on tariffs, emphasizing that reducing barriers would help both nations in crucial sectors such as pharmaceuticals and AI. Garcetti also pointed to the growing cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, including semiconductor investments and telecommunications, as a key area for future collaboration.
Despite some criticism that the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) has been slow to progress, Garcetti expressed confidence that it would become a permanent and valuable part of the bilateral relationship, advancing shared goals in technology and security.