India's 100GW nuclear target sharpens uranium exports debate
Australian uranium exports to India moved closer on Friday 10 July 2026 after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed an agreement to facilitate exports.
The agreement tied Australian uranium to India’s nuclear expansion plans. India aims for 100GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
By 2032, India also plans to add 18 more nuclear reactors. That pipeline would lift demand for uranium fuel over the next decade.
Nuclear for Australia founder Will Shackel welcomed the deal on 10 July 2026. He linked Australian uranium to India’s clean energy goals and energy security.
Shackel said, “As Prime Minister Modi said, it’s our uranium that will help India reach its clean energy objectives.”
Albanese spoke about uranium in the context of energy security and stability. Shackel called that framing a recognition of nuclear power’s role in reliable supply.
Australia has the world’s largest known uranium deposits. As a result, Australia is well placed to supply more fuel as global nuclear demand grows.
South Australia leads Australia’s uranium mining industry. However, New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland still restrict uranium mining.
Will Shackel backs policy change
Following the India agreement, Nuclear for Australia used the export decision to argue for policy changes at home. The group wants Australia to lift bans on nuclear energy and uranium mining.
The Labor Government has highlighted the clean energy value of uranium exports. Shackel argued that Australians should also get access to that economic opportunity.
He described a global nuclear revival tied to the clean energy transition and demand for affordable baseload power. He also argued nuclear can expand energy supply rather than limit it.
Shackel said, “Australia needs to overturn its outdated nuclear bans so that we can not only fuel the global clean energy transition with Australian uranium but also consider how Australia itself could deploy nuclear as part of a clean energy grid.”
In May 2026, the NSW Legislative Council voted for a bill to lift the prohibition on nuclear energy and uranium mining in New South Wales. That vote marked a key step in the state’s policy debate.
Meanwhile, India’s scale adds commercial weight to that domestic argument. A programme targeting 100GW by 2047 and 18 reactors by 2032 would require a steady uranium supply.
The source briefing described Australian uranium as the key to India’s clean energy future. It also said India faces significant and growing energy demand.
