Russia’s SMR edge: Why India’s new nuclear rules could favour Moscow

India's draft SHANTI Act rules, requiring foreign nuclear technology to be design-certified and operational in its country of origin or another foreign country, could significantly favor Russia in India's nuclear sector. Russia's state-owned Rosatom has a clear lead in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) with operational units like the Akademik Lomonosov, unlike most Western competitors whose SMRs are still in the design certification phase. This policy, coupled with Russia's cost-competitive Light Water Reactors (LWRs) compared to Western alternatives, positions Moscow to expand its nuclear cooperation with India, including proposals for new-generation VVER-1200 reactors and SMRs for localized applications.