Emerging economies in the developing world and the global development process is bound to become a more dominant factor that would push demand for energy at a faster pace as compared to growth in energy demand in the industrialised economies. Looking at the level of this additional demand and the need to minimise the threat due to climate change, increasing dependence on nuclear energy with closed fuel cycle appears inevitable.

We need to look at emerging nuclear security paradigm in this back drop and address the challenge of minimising the overall risk to humanity including nuclear, climate change and inequality related risks.

The presentation brings out the critical role Thorium can play in this context.

*Special lecture at the NIAS-CISAC work shop on "Technical Aspects of Civilian Nuclear Security" NIAS, Bangalore, October 30, 2012