New Delhi, Oct 20: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said India’s nuclear programme is dedicated to peaceful purposes and not warfare, stressing that nuclear energy will play a crucial role in meeting the country’s growing electricity requirements, particularly those driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and data centres.
Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg on the sidelines of the Bloomberg Economy Forum 2026, Singh said India’s nuclear programme has remained committed to peaceful applications and national development since its inception.
Recalling the vision of Dr Homi Bhabha, regarded as the architect of India’s nuclear programme, the minister said the country would continue to pursue nuclear technology for developmental purposes.
Singh said India aims to achieve 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047 as part of its long-term energy strategy, alongside its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
He said nuclear power would complement other energy sources by providing a continuous and reliable supply of electricity, particularly as emerging technologies increase power consumption.
Referring to the rapid expansion of AI and data centres, Singh said these sectors require uninterrupted electricity supplies and nuclear energy could help meet their growing demand.
The minister also spoke about the expanding applications of artificial intelligence across sectors, including space research, life sciences and other scientific fields.
“One has to be intelligent enough to use Artificial Intelligence,” he said, emphasising that human judgement remains essential for the responsible application of emerging technologies.
Singh said AI offers considerable benefits but preventing its misuse remains a challenge. He stressed that regulations alone would not be sufficient without individual and institutional responsibility.
The minister also highlighted the government’s decision to allow greater private sector participation in strategic and technologically sensitive sectors, saying the move had opened new opportunities for innovation and industrial development.
He said reliable energy infrastructure, responsible adoption of emerging technologies and wider industry participation would be important for India’s development goals in the coming decades.
