Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - The United States has announced a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, saying the deal creates the legal foundation for a long-term, multibillion-dollar partnership. The Energy Department said the arrangement advances economic and strategic goals, including nuclear nonproliferation.

The deal was signed by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, following negotiations on civil nuclear cooperation. Washington said the agreement is designed to bring American industry into Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear programme while keeping proliferation safeguards in place. The announcement comes amid broader U.S.-Saudi efforts to deepen cooperation across energy and security. Earlier draft versions of the pact had raised concerns because they appeared to soften some long-standing U.S. nonproliferation guardrails, including restrictions tied to enrichment and inspections.

For Saudi Arabia, the agreement could help unlock a major nuclear power build-out; for the U.S., it offers commercial opportunities and strategic influence in the Gulf. The key question now is how firmly the nonproliferation commitments will hold as the deal moves through congressional review.